The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have jointly intensified calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key federal officials to immediately enforce a pivotal Court of Appeal judgment concerning the legitimacy of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors in Osun State. This urgent plea comes amidst ongoing defiance by loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who continue to illegally occupy local government secretariats despite clear judicial pronouncements.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, underscored the critical need for federal intervention to uphold the rule of law. He specifically urged President Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to promptly expel APC loyalists from the local government secretariats. Onwubiko emphasized that the President must demonstrate statesmanship by unequivocally distancing his administration from these unconstitutional acts and reaffirming his commitment to the principles of constitutional democracy. “The rule of law is the cornerstone of any democracy and must be protected at all costs,” Onwubiko asserted, adding, “President Tinubu must now choose between defending the constitution or endorsing impunity.”

HURIWA recounted that the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, on June 3, 2024, delivered a definitive judgment dismissing an appeal filed by the APC. This appeal had sought to reverse an earlier ruling by the Osun State High Court, which nullified the controversial May 2022 local government elections conducted under the previous administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The appellate court’s decision upheld the PDP’s legitimate mandate, unequivocally declaring the elections illegal and void. Despite these binding judicial rulings, HURIWA expressed grave concern that APC-aligned individuals, reportedly backed by heavily armed police officers, persist in obstructing access to the secretariats, effectively preventing duly elected PDP officials from assuming their rightful offices.

Further emphasizing the urgency, Onwubiko stressed the role of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as the nation’s chief law officer. “We respect Mr. Fagbemi’s integrity, but he must now direct the enforcement of the court’s ruling without delay,” Onwubiko urged. The human rights group also called for robust collaboration between the federal and Osun State governments to restore constitutional order across all 30 local government areas and development councils in the state. HURIWA issued a stern warning, stating that “Government institutions must not be reduced to tools of political conquest.”

Adding another layer to the mounting crisis, the Chairman of ALGON in Osun State, Sarafadeen Awotunde, yesterday implored President Tinubu to caution the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) against actions that could precipitate anarchy regarding local council allocations. Awotunde specifically condemned as unconstitutional and illegal an alleged attempt by the CBN in Osun State to release arrears of monthly allocations due to the councils to chairmen elected under the APC platform during the October 15, 2022 poll—elections that have since been nullified by the courts. Speaking during a media briefing in Osogbo, Awotunde chastised the CBN Controller in the state for her alleged uncooperative stance on matters concerning the opening of accounts for local councils, recounting an unsuccessful attempt by his team to gain an audience with the Controller regarding the matter.

Both HURIWA and ALGON underscore the alarming implications of federal authorities’ continued inaction. Citing the legal opinion of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), HURIWA reiterated that the Court of Appeal’s ruling is “final, binding, and not subject to any stay or political interpretation.” Onwubiko warned that “The use of state-backed force to impose party loyalists in office is a dangerous return to authoritarianism,” asserting that the situation is not merely a political crisis but “a constitutional violation and a direct affront to the will of the people.” The groups unequivocally demand the immediate withdrawal of police officers shielding the illegal occupants and assurances that the PDP officials can assume their rightful positions. They warned that “Anything short of this would imply federal complicity in lawlessness” and urged the Attorney-General not to “turn a blind eye while anarchy festers.” The Attorney-General of Osun State, Wole Jimi-Bada, was commended by HURIWA for his unwavering defense of the rule of law and public condemnation of the police-backed takeover.