Local government chairmen elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 22, 2025 local government election resumed duties across several council secretariats in Osun State on Friday. This development followed a court ruling that dismissed the tenure elongation suit filed by chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Resumption Announced by ALGON Chairman
The chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, who also serves as Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Sarafadeen Awotunde, announced the resumption in a statement issued on Wednesday. He confirmed that chairmen from Ede South, Ede North, Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ifedayo, and other local governments had resumed office.
Scenes at Various Secretariats
In videos sighted, PDP Chairman in Iwo, Kabir Moshood, also known as Irorun, was seen along with other local government officials at the Iwo Local Government Secretariat. In another video clip, Nasir Jayeola Adebisi resumed duties at the Ila-Orangun Local Government Secretariat. Adebisi, while speaking at the secretariat, appreciated the people for their support and promised that the party would not disappoint them.
At Ede North and Ede South, supporters were seen at the local government secretariats chanting “Imole, Imole.” Addressing party supporters, Shina Sepenteri assured security personnel that necessary measures would be taken to ensure smooth running of the council and called on supporters to remain law-abiding. He reaffirmed the council leadership’s commitment to peace, legality, and effective service delivery.
Peaceful Resumption and Judicial Affirmation
At the Iwo Local Government Secretariat, Chairman Kabir Moshood Irorun resumed office peacefully, while Jayeola Adebisi also resumed duties at the Ila-Orangun Local Government Secretariat. The ALGON Chairman stated that the return of the elected chairmen and councillors marked the restoration of local government administration elected by residents of the state.
According to Awotunde, a recent court decision dismissing an application seeking tenure elongation and the nullification of the February 22, 2025 local government election reaffirmed the validity of the mandate given to the elected officials. “The recent court decision dismissing the application seeking tenure elongation and the nullification of the February 22, 2025 Local Government Election has once again reaffirmed the validity of the democratic mandate given by the electorate,” he said.
Commitment to Grassroots Development
Awotunde assured residents that the elected officials would return to office with renewed commitment to grassroots development and service delivery. He commended the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and praised the Nigeria Police Force, traditional rulers, and local government workers for maintaining peace during the dispute over the control of local government councils.
He urged those challenging the election outcome to pursue legal remedies through the courts rather than engage in actions capable of disrupting peace in the state. “The court has dismissed their request for tenure elongation and the cancellation of the February 22, 2025 election. Consequently, they have no legal basis whatsoever to continue laying claim to offices occupied by duly elected officials,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the elected chairmen and councillors to transparency, accountability, and accelerated grassroots development across the state.
Background of the Court Ruling
Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, in a judgment delivered on June 15, 2026, by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, dismissed the tenure elongation suit filed by the chairmen who emerged on the APC platform.
