Barr. Rotimi John Adeyenuwo Chairman, Ife Central LG

The lingering crisis over who truly holds the mandate at the grassroots in Osun State has taken a dramatic turn, as the Executive Chairman of Ife Central Local Government, Barrister Rotimi John Adeyenuwo, declared that the embattled All Progressives Congress (APC) council officials have lost every legal and moral claim to office.

Speaking on Sabenko, a Yoruba-language current affairs program designed to break down, analyze, and debate trending issues in politics, governance, economy, society, and culture, on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Wednesday,  Adeyenuwo insisted that his emergence and that of other elected chairmen followed due process and valid court pronouncements — not political manipulation.

“Rightfully, we were the caretaker in place of all local governments. After the court ruling to install democratically elected councilmen, we resigned and contested following a year-long election notice. More than five political parties participated, but the APC boycotted the election even before the D-day,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party Mamber also alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, attempted to frustrate the local government poll, but the state government proceeded in obedience to court orders.

“We followed the law and a court ruling asked us to do the needful after the APC former councilmen were ousted for using an illegal approach. The governor swore us in a day after the election but advised that we do not resume immediately. If not for his wisdom, Osun could have been declared a state of emergency,” he explained.

He accused the opposition of “playing with federal powers” and relying on Abuja’s influence to disrupt the process.

Court battles and conflicting rulings

Adeyenuwo’s remarks come amid a series of legal and political developments that have deepened the Osun local government controversy.

Recall that on June 13, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure, led by Justice Peter Obiorah, dismissed an application by the APC seeking to relist an earlier appeal that had been struck out for lack of diligent prosecution. The appeal stemmed from the October 15, 2022 local government election conducted under the former administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, which featured only APC candidates and was later nullified by a Federal High Court in Osogbo.

The appellate court ruled that relisting the case would create judicial confusion and described the APC’s application as lacking merit. While the APC-aligned Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) claimed the decision reinstated its members, their PDP counterparts, led by Sarafadeen Awotunde, maintained that the judgment finally put to rest all claims of legitimacy by the APC, affirming that only the February 2025 elections conducted under Governor Ademola Adeleke remained valid.

“After their appeal at the appeal court in Akure in May 2025, that was where they were categorically made to know that their chairmanship was stale and vacant since 2022,” Adeyenuwo noted. “It was merely a matter of court ruling and not political arrogance or tussle.”

UBA fund freeze and withdrawal of CBN suit

The state government’s position was further reinforced last week when an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan ordered the United Bank for Africa (UBA) not to release funds from 30 accounts opened in the names of Osun’s local governments by the sacked APC chairmen and councillors.

The interim injunction, filed by Osun Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, came after the Federal Government transferred seized statutory allocations for the 30 councils into the disputed accounts. Justice A.L. Akintola granted the order, restraining UBA from releasing any funds pending the determination of an interlocutory motion.

In a related development, the Osun Government on Friday withdrew its suit against the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation at the Federal High Court in Abuja, after counsel Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) told the court that the case had been overtaken by events since the allocations had already been moved out of the CBN.

Judge Emeka Nwite subsequently struck out the matter, noting that a similar suit was already pending before the Supreme Court.

Adeyenuwo, reacting to the controversy surrounding the allocations, accused the ousted APC chairmen of attempting to divert public funds.

“Immediately they left, they quickly paid over ₦70 billion into a UBA account which we ruled against. We told the bank not to try it. They’re persona non grata in law,” he alleged.

Staff welfare, legal restraint, and constitutional boundaries

The Ife Central boss said that despite the stalemate, local government workers and teachers up to Junior Secondary School level are being paid by the state government to avoid unrest.

“The state government knows not paying the people will cause a revolt,” he said. “Teachers are happy their salaries are paid, and though these payments stall some state projects, they are necessary for peace.”

He further clarified that while local governments enjoy financial autonomy, they remain under the supervisory authority of the State House of Assembly, emphasizing that the ongoing dispute is a constitutional matter, not a political power play.

“This matter is constitutional. We can’t take the Federal Government to court directly, but the State Attorney-General can challenge the AGF,” Adeyenuwo said.

Drawing a historical parallel, he referenced the 2003 standoff between then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo over the creation of local council development areas, insisting that Osun’s current stance aligns with legal precedent.

“We aren’t bypassing the law. The Assembly has issued guidelines for our functions. Only the criminals are thwarting due process. If they had gone to court, they’d have been jailed for contempt,” he stated.

On the judiciary and the politics of power

Addressing claims that the judiciary has lost its potency as the last hope of the common man, Adeyenuwo argued that the delay in justice stems from those deliberately frustrating its execution.

“It is not the fault of the law,” he said. “Those responsible are the ones intentionally stalling judgment. Once the Supreme Court concludes its ruling, the IGP will be directed to enforce it and vacate the illegal occupiers. We don’t want a fight but they already came with guns and machetes.”

He also distanced himself from any political alignment with the presidency, saying his loyalty is to the people of Osun and to the principle of lawful governance.

“I’m not singing the praises of the President and I’m not supporting him,” he said firmly. “Until the right thing is done and the people get the dividends of democracy, we are not in any agreement. We might be from the West, but that doesn’t mean we must support injustice.”

Adeyenuwo concluded by urging patience among Osun residents and council workers as the legal dust settles.

“I thank the good people of Ife and other LGAs for their patience. Let’s allow the Supreme Court to give its judgment,” he said.