By Newspot Nigeria Editorial Desk
There’s been a lot of noise lately about who really controls Osun’s local governments. As the dust rises, it’s important we step back and ask one simple question: What exactly have the courts said?
Because when it comes to the October 15, 2022 local government elections in Osun State, the facts aren’t blurry. The law has spoken—clearly, repeatedly, and decisively. It’s just that some people don’t want to listen.
🧾 Two Judgments. One Final.
Here’s what happened. Two political parties—PDP and APP—challenged the rushed local government elections organized by the previous administration. But the timing of their cases mattered.
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The PDP went to court before the election even happened. That’s like shouting foul before the referee blows the whistle. The Federal High Court ruled on their case on November 25, 2022—but later, the Court of Appeal said, “This came too early,” and struck it out.
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The APP waited till after the election, saw the mess, and then took OSSIEC to court. On November 30, 2022, the Federal High Court ruled in their favour: the election was unconstitutional. Why? Because the law says you need to give 360 days’ notice before an election. OSSIEC gave only 60. That’s not a small error—it’s a legal disaster.
The court ordered all those who benefitted from that illegal election—the APC chairmen and councillors—to vacate their seats. Period.
⚖️ Binding on Everyone, Not Just a Few
Now, this wasn’t just a regular court ruling that affects only the parties listed on the paperwork. This was a judgment in rem—which means it applies to everyone, whether they were in the courtroom or not.
So no, APC chairmen can’t say, “We weren’t part of the case.” It doesn’t matter. If you gained office from an election the court declared illegal, you’re bound by the ruling.
❌ APC Filed an Appeal—Then Walked Away
To be fair, the APC did appeal the APP ruling. But then they abandoned the appeal. And on January 13, 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed it, citing lack of diligent prosecution. That means: “You didn’t take your appeal seriously, so the lower court’s ruling stands.”
Simple. Clear. Final.
🔄 Fast-Forward: June 13, 2025
Then came another twist.
APC returned to court, this time asking the Court of Appeal in Akure to reopen the abandoned appeal. But on June 13, 2025, the court said no. The judges saw right through it and called the request baseless. They even warned about using the judiciary to score political points.
Still, some APC voices are hoping that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of that ruling—once released—will somehow change the story. Let’s be honest: it won’t.
A CTC isn’t a new ruling. It’s just a signed and stamped official copy of the judgment. It won’t contain hidden miracles or secret reversals. It will only confirm what the court has already said: case closed.
👑 Could the Supreme Court Step In?
Possibly. The APC may apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. But here’s the thing: it’s not automatic. The Supreme Court will only hear the case if it finds a compelling reason—like a major constitutional issue or conflicting rulings from lower courts.
Let’s break it down:
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If the Court believes there’s a serious legal question affecting the whole country, or that something important about how court decisions are handled needs clarification, it might step in.
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But if it sees the June 13 decision as simply procedural—a case of someone trying to revive an abandoned matter—it might say, “There’s nothing new here.”
So what are the chances?
| Scenario | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court hears the case | ⚖️ Moderate to High—if there’s a compelling legal issue |
| Supreme Court declines | ⚖️ Moderate—if it sees no broader impact |
Still, even if the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, the APP judgment from November 30, 2022 remains valid—until and unless it’s explicitly overturned.
🛑 Time to Stop the Games
Here’s what we can’t afford: allowing politics to twist the truth. The courts have ruled. Not once. Not twice. But three times.
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The November 30, 2022 APP judgment nullified the election.
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The January 13, 2025 Court of Appeal ruling confirmed it.
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The June 13, 2025 attempt to relist the case was rejected.
There’s no confusion—only what some are deliberately trying to confuse.
✅ Final Word: Respect the Law, Not the Loudest Voice
The law is not a suggestion. It’s not a matter of who shouts the loudest. It’s a commitment to order, fairness, and justice.
Until a higher court says otherwise, the APC chairmen have no legal claim to those seats. They were elected through an illegal process, and the courts have said so. Repeatedly.
Let’s not build our democracy on denial. Let’s build it on truth—even when that truth is inconvenient.
