Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke,

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated that the tenure of local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lapsed on October 22, 2025, and cannot be legally extended under the Constitution or established Supreme Court precedents. In a statewide broadcast and official statement, Adeleke said the APC officials’ self‑awarded tenure was illegal from the start and ended last year, adding that they have no lawful authority to occupy council offices or manage public funds.
Adeleke emphasised that local government autonomy does not mean unelected or tenure‑expired officials can continue to occupy council secretariats. He noted that APC officials admitted in public court filings that their tenure expired on October 22, 2025 meaning their claim to office has no legal foundation. Filing a court case seeking an extension does not confer extended tenure or legal authority. Adeleke stressed that no elected official can remain in office past the constitutionally prescribed term without interruption, citing Supreme Court principles that prohibit any extension beyond a legally mandated period. He condemned APC officials for forcefully occupying local council secretariats for nearly a year, claiming this contravenes democratic norms and the rule of law especially since fresh local government elections were conducted and new chairmen sworn in on February 23, 2025, per court orders.
Governor Adeleke also highlighted that Over N130 billion in statutory allocations meant for Osun local governments had been withheld, harming workers and essential services.
Local government workers were paid by the State Government to mitigate hardship caused by illegal occupation of council funds and offices. APC chairmen and councillors were previously nullified by the Federal High Court and affirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2025, leading to fresh elections. Despite rulings, the APC officials continued occupying offices a situation Adeleke described as “brazen contempt of the law.” The governor has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, democratic stakeholders, and the international community to help uphold democratic practices and prevent the erosion of legitimate governance in Osun State.
This controversy over local government control and tenure legality has significant implications for: Democratic governance at the grassroots
Rule of law and constitutional order
Payment of salaries and basic services for teachers, health workers, and pensioners. The dispute also reflects broader political tensions between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State and the APC, impacting public administration and service delivery.