Heavily armed police officers took over local government secretariats across Osun State on Tuesday.
This followed the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which upheld appeals by the chairman elected under the All Progressives Congress in the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
These chairmen and councillors had been removed by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022.
However, the Appeal Court ruled in their favour.
Following the judgment on Monday, there were disagreements over its interpretation.
APC members claimed the ruling reinstated the sacked officials but the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted the judgment did not restore them.
Alimi urged security agencies to prevent any threats to public peace and safeguard residents’ lives and property.
A correspondent observed armed police officers stationed at local government secretariats in Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo. At Olorunda LG secretariat in Igbona, people moved in and out while police officers checked those entering.
A similar security presence was seen at Osogbo LG secretariat in Oke Baale, where National Union of Local Government Employees officials helped identify staff members.
At Ejigbo LG secretariat, sources said police arrived around 8:30 am, initially locking the gate before reopening it.
A NULGE official, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the issue said, “Police operatives suddenly showed up at the entrance. Our colleagues contacted NULGE officials when they weren’t allowed in. Eventually, workers were permitted inside. We were told police were deployed because some people threatened to resume work.”
Osun Police Command spokesman, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the deployment.
“We acted to prevent any breakdown of law and order. This is related to the Appeal Court verdict on the last local government election. Though we haven’t received any court ruling, we are monitoring the situation,” Opalola said.
Meanwhile, the state Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, clarified that the Appeal Court did not reinstate the sacked chairmen.
Jimi-Bada stated, “The court did not examine the APC’s re-appeal on merit. It only struck out the PDP’s case against OSSIEC, citing a lack of cause of action at the time it was filed. The Court of Appeal never ruled that any chairman should return to office.”
(PUNCH)