Two prominent civil society organisations, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to urgently enforce court judgments declaring the occupation of Local Government Council Secretariats in Osun State by All Progressives Congress (APC) officials as illegal.

In separate peaceful protest in Abuja, the Nigeria Society for Democracy and Good Governance (NSDGG) and the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity (CCSJE) urged the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Minister of Finance to intervene by recognising and funding only the duly elected officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The protest march began at the Unity Fountain and proceeded to the offices of both ministers, where letters were submitted demanding strict adherence to the rule of law and full implementation of valid court rulings.

According to the CSOs, the PDP chairmen and councillors were validly elected on February 22, 2025, in an election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

However, despite court rulings voiding the appointments of APC officials, the party’s functionaries allegedly continue to occupy council offices across the state.

Speaking to journalists at the protest, Chairman of the CCSJE, Comrade Collins Idowu, stressed the financial and constitutional dangers of the ongoing crisis.

He called on the Minister of Finance to withhold further allocations to illegally occupying APC officials and instead channel funds to the duly elected PDP chairmen and councillors.

He said, “The current situation in Osun State is not merely a political issue; it is a profound threat to the rule of law and democratic governance. Despite clear court judgments that have invalidated the APC officials’ claims to their positions, they continue to occupy Local Government Council Secretariats, undermining the very foundation of our democracy. This blatant disregard for judicial authority and electoral integrity is alarming and poses significant financial implications for the state and its citizens.”

Also speaking during a separate protest on the same issue, the spokesperson for the NSDGG, Ambassador Usman Saidu Calculus, described the situation as “a direct threat to democracy.”

He warned that continued financial support to those without a legal mandate sets a dangerous precedent and may trigger instability and chaos at the grassroots governance level.

Calculus said, “The NSDGG stands firm in its commitment to promoting democracy and good governance in Nigeria, and we believe that your actions in this matter will reflect the government’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

“We demand that the government act decisively to rectify this situation by recognising the rightful representatives of the people and ensuring that public funds are allocated accordingly.

“The citizens of Osun State deserve to have their voices heard and their choices respected. We trust that you will take the necessary steps to uphold the rule of law and restore democratic governance in Osun State.”

The group urged the Attorney General and Minister of Finance to collaborate urgently to enforce all valid court rulings and restore the rule of law in Osun State.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Office of the Attorney General nor the Ministry of Finance had issued an official response.