By: Thomas Abidoye
The Osun State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clashed over the latest ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, the appellate court dismissed an application by the APC to relist an earlier abandoned appeal regarding the nullification of the 2022 local government elections.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, hailed the ruling as “a triumph of truth and justice over wishful thinking and irritating grandstanding.”
According to the PDP, the judgment confirmed its position that the APC was “merely grandstanding without legal basis” and had violated Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Bisi also praised Governor Ademola Adeleke, the PDP-elected council chairmen, and the people of Osun State for their patience and resilience.
He lauded OSSIEC for conducting the local government elections held on February 22, 2025, describing them as lawful and reflective of the people’s will.
The PDP accused the APC of attempting to validate what it termed a “deeply flawed and illegal” electoral process carried out by the former administration of Gboyega Oyetola.
In response, the Osun APC through a release by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi.said the Court of Appeal’s latest decision “did not in any way affect the judgment of 10th February, 2025, which reinstated the APC Chairmen and Councilors elected on 15th October, 2022.”
“There is nothing in the decision of the Court of Appeal of today that affects the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10th February, 2025,” the APC declared.
The APC emphasized that Friday’s ruling only dismissed a motion for relisting an abandoned appeal, and that the reinstatement of its council officials remains valid.
“The decision of 10th February, 2025… remains binding and valid and it is only the Supreme Court that can pronounce or upturn on it,” the party stated.
It dismissed PDP’s interpretation of the ruling as lies, warning that “the public should ignore the manipulated facts being spread by Hashim Abioye, Kolapo Alimi and their political party.”
The APC accused the PDP of plotting to use the latest ruling to reclaim LG offices through “misguided electoral fraud” and incite public disorder.
Furthermore, the APC hinted at a possible move to the apex court, saying: “The APC may appeal the ruling of today to the Supreme Court if there is any need for that.”