The crisis rocking local government administration in Osun State took a new dimension on Wednesday with the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dragging those elected in 2022 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to court.
Joined in the suit filed at the Osun State High Court of Justice, Ikirun Division, is the Inspector-General of Police, the commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, the director-General, DSS and the Commandant General, NSCDC.
Also, in another suit in the Osun State High Court of Justice, Ilesa Division, the Osun State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) instituted a lawsuit against the 2022 elected local government and councillors over the alleged forceful invasion and illegal occupation of local government secretariats across the state.
In the first suit, ALGON is seeking an order to eject the chairmen and councillors from the various Council secretariats forthwith and prevent them from further forceful takeover of local government administration in line with the dictates of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They also sought an order compelling the security operatives to join the suit. They must ensure the sustenance of peace in Osun State. They have the constitutional duty to ensure that the defendants do not interfere with or cause any interference with the running and operations of all 30 Local Government Councils of Osun State or continue to present themselves as Chairmen and councillors of all the local governments in Osun State.
In the second suit filed by NULGE, the union is seeking an order to restrain the defendant from imposing themselves as Chairmen and Councilors of the 30 Local Government Councils and interfering with the running and operations of all the said 30 local government councils of Osun State until a higher court sets aside the judgment that declared their election void.
They also sought a perpetual order restraining the defendants from assuming and/or taking any step towards assuming office as chairmen and/or councillors of the councils and interfering in any way whatsoever with the running and operations of all the 30 local government councils of Osun State.
NULGE, who also joined the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, sought a perpetual order restraining them, as well as their men and officers, from assisting, aiding or taking any step whatsoever in helping the earlier defendants, to assume office as Chairmen and/or Councilors of the Local Government Councils in Osun State and interfering with the running and operations of all the 30 Local Government Councils of Osun State.
