LG Crisis: Osun Govt Replies AGF Fagbemi (Full Statement)

News Update

THE Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has replied the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, over his advice on the upcoming Saturday council election.

Adeleke in his response to the AGF statement through his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Nurudeen Kareem, reminded Fagbemi of APP v. APC case, on the October 15, 2022 council election.

Adeleke said; “We extend our gratitude to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for his valuable insights regarding the judgment in the PDP versus APC case concerning the 2022 Osun local government election.

“While we respect the AGF’s stance on the PDP’s suit, we believe it is essential to highlight the ongoing relevance of the APP v. APC case, particularly given the Federal High Court’s decision in FHC/OS/CS/103/2022, which was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal on January 13, 2025.

“It is our firm belief that the judgment rendered by the Federal High Court in FHC/OS/CS/103/2022 on November 30, 2022, remains extant, subsisting and binding until overturned by a higher court with appropriate jurisdiction. This principle is well established in legal precedents, including the Supreme Court decision in the case of WADA v. BELLO (2016) 17 NWLR PT 1542 433, which affirms that judgments must be adhered to by all courts whether below or above the Court that made the order in the hierarchy of courts.

“Given the significance of this judgment for the integrity of our electoral processes, we respectfully urge the AGF to provide clarity on this matter. The citizens of Osun and the broader Nigerian populace eagerly await his informed opinion, which we believe will contribute to a deeper understanding of the legal landscape surrounding these elections.

“Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue.