The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, over the discredited local government election in the state.
The court, presided over by Justice N. Ayo Emmanuel, refused to grant the oral application by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for stay of execution of the judgment on the local council election conducted by the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola administration.
The Osun PDP, in a statement by its caretaker chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele, immediately after the judicial pronouncement, said it was a victory for rule of law and sanctity of the judicial process.
Dr. Akindele expressed confidence in the Senator Ademola Adeleke-led PDP administration to respect the rule of Law and preserve the dignity of the judiciary.
He said the Executive Order proclaimed by the governor on 27 November, 2022, directing the most senior career heads across all the Local council areas to take charge of their respective councils is subsisting.
The Executive Order, Akindele said, had in effect further strenghthened the relationship between the executive and the judiciary arms of government in Osun State.
He wondered how the sacked local council chairmen and councilors and the APC would, in good conscience, approach the court to remain in office while there has been another judgment sacking them from office, against which there has been no appeal.
“The court has sacked the purportedly elected council chairmen and councilors, notwithstanding their appeal which is yet to reach the Court of Appeal by way of record.
“And their appeal, which is yet to have a number at the Court of Appeal, no order of stay has been granted, and in view of another judgment reiterating their sack from office, they have completely lost the privilege of a stay of execution application,” he said.
The Osun PDP caretaker chairman then warned the APC and the sacked officials against their threat of resuming in office in their respective local government areas.
He said the Governor Adeleke-led administration of would not condone lawlessness which he alleged is the way of the former ruling party in the state.
The Osun PDP caretaker chairman therefore charged security operatives in the state to be at alert so as to curb any provocation of breach of peace, allegedly being propelled by the APC and its members.
