Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered former All Progressives Congress (APC) local government officials to vacate all council secretariats across the state with immediate effect.
The governor said their presence in the offices is illegal. He described it as a violation of existing court judgments.
Politics Nigeria reports that the made this known during a statewide address on Monday.
Adeleke stated that the officials no longer have any lawful authority to occupy the secretariats. He said the matter had already been settled by the courts and must be respected by all parties.
According to the governor, the Federal High Court in Osogbo had earlier cancelled the local government election conducted by the APC in November 2022.
He said the Court of Appeal later affirmed the ruling on February 10 and again on June 13, 2025.
He explained that the state government acted in line with the judgments. The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission conducted fresh local government elections on February 22, 2025.
The governor said new chairmen and councillors emerged from that exercise. They were sworn in on February 23, 2025. He added that they remain the only legally recognised officials in the local councils.
Adeleke also revealed that the former APC officials admitted in court documents that their tenure ended in October 2025. He said their attempt to seek an extension only confirmed that they no longer had a valid mandate.
He accused the former officials of forcefully taking over the secretariats. He alleged that armed police officers supported the action.
The governor claimed the move was carried out under the direction of former governor, Gboyega Oyetola.
The governor condemned reports that civil servants who returned to work were attacked and intimidated. He described the situation as dangerous to democracy and unacceptable in a constitutional system.
He assured residents that his administration would not ignore the rule of law. He said all court decisions would be enforced fully. He promised that order would be restored at the grassroots level.
Adeleke urged the people of Osun State to remain calm. He said government would protect public institutions and ensure that only duly elected officials occupy council offices.
He warned that any further attempt to undermine the courts would be treated as a serious offence against the state.