The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed surprise at Governor Ademola Adeleke’s “inability” to uphold his oath and defend the Constitution by abiding by a valid order of the Court of Appeal reinstating sacked local government officials in the State
The APC, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, took umbrage at what the party described as Adeleke’s “wanton disregard for the rule of law, and a valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal”, by conducting “what he purported to be a local government election in the state last weekend.”
Insisting that the fresh election “Governor Adeleke and his PDP conducted is nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever,” the APC added:
“It must be emphasised the APC exercised utmost respect for the adverse decision of the Federal High Court and demonstrated mature restraint in the face of Governor Adeleke’s illegal and unconstitutional appointment of caretaker committees in the state while it diligently pursued its appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court that has now been nullified by the Court of Appeal.
“The APC did not resort to violence or self help in the matter but submitted to the rule of law and the authority of the courts. Why is it so difficult for Governor Adeleke, who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, to abide by a valid order of the Court of Appeal reinstating the sacked local government officials?
“Why is the Governor and his PDP vehement on taking matters into their own hands in disregard of a valid judgement of the Court of Appeal? Why is Governor Adeleke so desperate and determined to incite anarchy in Osun state with impunity? And why is the Governor so unaffected by the already tragic loss of lives of innocent citizens of the state in reckless breach of his duty to protect lives and property of all citizens in the state?”
“The purported last Saturday’s fresh election conducted by Governor Adeleke and his PDP is nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever,” the national ruling party further claimed.
“The exercise was a reckless waste of public funds, and an irresponsible incitement to further violence in an already volatile atmosphere in the state. Governor Adeleke is under constitutional responsibility to respect and uphold the laws of our land, including giving effect to binding court judgements notwithstanding his personal or partisan political wishes or preferences.
“As he was quick to issue an executive order sacking the local government officials based on the Federal High Court judgment of 2022, Governor Adeleke is under clear constitutional obligation to similarly comply with the Court of Appeal judgment reinstating the same officials.
“The sensible and democratic remedy available to Governor Adeleke is to exercise his government’s right to appeal to the Supreme Court in the matter. Governor Adeleke bears a solemn duty to protect the lives and property of all citizens of Osun state irrespective of political differences.
“We urge Governor Adeleke to immediately end his illegal and anti-democratic push for fresh local government election, and abide by the valid judgment of the Court of Appeal in the matter.”
