Osun LG Poll: Appeal Court Only Ruled On Jurisdiction, Not Merits — APP Insists APC Officials Still Sacked

The Action Peoples Party (APP) has taken a swipe at The Nation newspaper over what it described as a “misleading and inaccurate” report on the lingering Osun State local government crisis.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, APP National Chairman, Odesola Oluseye Titus, faulted the June 28, 2025 publication by the newspaper titled “Osun LG Crisis: APM Berates Ozekhome Over ‘Incorrect’ Review of Court Verdict.” According to him, the report falsely claimed that the Court of Appeal reinstated Local Government Chairmen and Councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the controversial October 2022 polls.

“That report is not only false but deliberately misleading,” Odesola declared. “The Court of Appeal never granted any relief reinstating those individuals. The judgment was strictly on jurisdictional issues and never touched the substantive claims.”

Citing the judgment in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022, APP explained that the appellate court merely ruled that the originating summons used to challenge the sacked officials was defective, which stripped the lower court of jurisdiction to entertain the case. However, the Court never made any pronouncement ordering the return of the APC Chairmen and Councillors.

APP also pointed out that the newspaper report conveniently ignored key portions of the judgment, especially the Court’s ruling that without a valid originating process, no legal reliefs, including reinstatement, could be granted.

More critically, APP reminded the public that two Federal High Court judgments had nullified the October 2022 LG elections in Osun. While one of those judgments was set aside purely on jurisdictional grounds, the second — delivered on November 30, 2022 in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/103/22 — remains valid, binding, and unchallenged.

In addition, the party referenced the Court of Appeal’s ruling on June 13, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/AK/15/2025, which upheld the legitimacy of the February 22, 2025, local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), where Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates emerged victorious.

“The Court affirmed both the February elections and the swearing-in of the newly elected officials,” Odesola emphasized, adding that a concurring judgment carries equal legal force as the lead judgment.

The APP also issued a stern call to the Attorney-General of the Federation, urging him to release the statutory funds for the 30 local government councils now under the leadership of the PDP following the February polls.

Concluding the statement, the party warned journalists and media houses to desist from misrepresenting court rulings, cautioning that sensational and inaccurate reports only fuel political tensions.

“Journalists have a duty to be fair, accurate, and responsible. Anything short of that is an affront to both the law and public trust,” Odesola warned.