APC Pulls Out of Osun LG Election Amid Violent Clash
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming local government election, set for Saturday, February 22. The decision, revealed in a letter dated February 17 and signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, was addressed to the Secretary of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The party’s withdrawal follows the February 10 Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated its chairmen and councillors, overturning a previous judgment by the Federal High Court. The APC explained in its letter that, with the court’s reinstatement of elected officials, the local government seats were no longer vacant, rendering the scheduled election unnecessary, superfluous, and unlawful.
The APC’s decision to withdraw from the election comes after a tense stand-off with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the interpretation of the February 10 judgment. While the PDP argued that the judgment did not reinstate the APC officials, the APC maintained that the ruling allowed the reinstatement of its council chairmen and councillors to their positions in local government secretariats.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when both parties clashed over control of the local government secretariats, resulting in violent confrontations. Police reports confirmed that at least six individuals were killed, with numerous others injured in the chaos.
