OSUN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT

Delivered by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun

Date: 19th February 2025
Venue: Osun State House of Assembly Complex

Fellow citizens of Osun State, members of the press, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is with a deep sense of responsibility that the Osun State House of Assembly addresses the people of our dear state and the global community regarding the recent unlawful developments in our local government administration.

Over the past few days, Osun State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of political tension, threats to law and order, and a blatant disregard for the rule of law. This crisis stems from a coordinated, illegal attempt to forcefully seize control of our local government councils by individuals who have no legal or constitutional right to those offices.

Today, members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), forcefully broke into local government secretariats across the state. This unlawful invasion is not only a direct attack on our democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order. Even more disturbing is the fact that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law, were present while these illegal acts were being carried out. This is unjust, unlawful, and unacceptable. Law enforcement agencies must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities.

The Osun State House of Assembly strongly condemns these acts of lawlessness and impunity. We want to make it abundantly clear that this state will not succumb to political banditry and unconstitutional actions. Every individual found guilty of orchestrating or participating in this lawless takeover will be brought to book and held accountable under the full weight of the law.

THE FACTS AND THE LAW

1. The Federal High Court in Osogbo declared the local government elections conducted on October 15, 2022, as unconstitutional, null, and void due to their violation of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022. (See: ACTION PEOPLES PARTY VS. INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION [INEC] SUIT NO. FHC/OS/CS/103/2022.
2. An Appeal was immediately filled against this decision
3. The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on January 13, 2025, dismissed the appeal against this ruling, upholding the Federal High Court’s decision and confirming that those elected through the illegal process have no legal or constitutional claim to office. (See: Allied Peoples Movement & Ors. Vs. Action Peoples Party & Ors.
   CA/AK/226M/2024.)
4. Despite this clear and subsisting judgment, members of the APC have resorted to self-help and brute force in an attempt to illegally occupy government offices, thereby instigating violent confrontations that have already led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
5. Even more concerning is the active presence of law enforcement officers while these illegal acts were being perpetrated. The Nigeria Police was physically present as opposition members forcefully broke into government buildings. This is a clear failure of duty and a direct affront to justice and the rule of law. The people of Osun State do not expect law enforcement agencies to stand idly by while criminals violate our laws, let alone actively facilitate such unlawful actions.
6. In response to these developments, the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nuruden Adeleke has issued a directive that all individuals, regardless of political affiliation, must stay clear of the local government secretariats to prevent further crisis and uphold law and order.
7. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has fully complied with this directive because we prioritize peace, stability, and democratic governance over political confrontation.

THE POSITION OF THE OSUN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

We strongly denounce any form of lawlessness, violence, or forceful occupation of government institutions under any guise.

We affirm that the Federal High Court’s judgment remains binding and must be respected by all parties until set aside by a competent court.

We call on security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to protect government institutions and ensure that those responsible for this act of illegality are prosecuted.

We demand that the Nigeria Police Force uphold its constitutional duty to maintain law and order without bias or compromise.

We warn all political actors to desist from unconstitutional acts and to pursue their grievances through legitimate legal channels rather than resorting to violence, intimidation, or force.

OUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

The Nigeria Police Force is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives, ensuring peace, and upholding justice. However, recent events in Osun State suggest that elements within the force may have compromised their neutrality.

We had anticipated that external pressures might attempt to manipulate security agencies in Osun State, but we never expected that such compromises would emerge this early. We thought these forces would at least wait until the next gubernatorial election before making their moves, but instead, they have chosen to destabilize our state prematurely.

The Osun State House of Assembly is not unaware of the close relationship between Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Inspector General of Police. However, while personal relationships may exist, the security of Osun State must never be sacrificed on the altar of friendship at the expense of the rule of law.

No individual, no matter how highly placed, should manipulate security agencies to serve political interests at the expense of peace and stability. The police must not allow themselves to become a tool for political subjugation or a shield for those violating the law.

The responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force is to serve and protect all Nigerians, not to take sides in political disputes. The people of Osun State demand and deserve fairness, impartiality, and professionalism from the security agencies.

We, therefore, urge the Inspector General of Police to act in the interest of justice and security rather than bowing to undue political influence. Osun State cannot and will not be held hostage by personal alliances at the top. The law must stand, and justice must prevail.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) must act swiftly and decisively to:

1. Ensure that all illegal occupants of the local government secretariats are evicted immediately.
2. Arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in this unlawful invasion.
3. Hold accountable any police officers who facilitated or failed to prevent these illegal acts.
4. Restore public confidence in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force.
5. Prevent further escalation of violence and political intimidation.

Failure to act will only embolden those who seek to undermine our democratic institutions.

THE UPCOMING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS ARE SACROSANCT

The local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, remain sacrosanct. We call on all eligible voters in Osun State to come out en-masse and freely exercise their democratic right to vote for their preferred candidates.

The Osun State House of Assembly assures the people that no amount of intimidation, violence, or political desperation will stop the democratic process.
We also call on security operatives to carry out their duties professionally, ensuring that voters are safe, polling units are protected, and law and order are maintained before, during, and after the elections.
We urge all stakeholders, including political parties, electoral officials, and the general public, to respect the democratic process and uphold the integrity of the elections.

A MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT

Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you are not just the leader of this nation, you are one of us, a son of the South West. We call on you to ensure that democracy is not trampled upon in your own political stronghold.

This level of political lawlessness should not be happening in the South West, and certainly not in Nigeria. The South West has always been a model of political stability, governance, and democracy. Allowing such a dangerous precedent to stand in Osun State today will only open the doors for similar acts of impunity across the region and the nation.

Mr. President, this is a test of leadership. We urge you to intervene immediately to prevent Osun State from descending into chaos.

A CALL FOR PEACE AND ORDER

Osun State is a state governed by laws, not by chaos. We urge our citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, and vigilant.

The Osun State House of Assembly stands firm in its commitment to protecting democracy, ensuring stability, and defending the will of the people.
Finally, we express deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this senseless violence. Their death must not be in vain. Justice must and will prevail.

Osun State will prevail. Democracy will stand. The rule of law will be upheld.

Thank you.

Rt. Hon. Olumide Adewale Egbedun,
Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly.

REV. BUNMI JENYO CELEBRATES DR. EDDY OLAFESO AT BIRTHDAY

The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has felicitated with the erstwhile PDP Chairman in Yorubaland, Dr. Eddy Olafeso on the auspicious occasion of his birthday anniversary.

This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner, which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Tuesday.

According to the Commissioner, Dr. Olafeso remains a factor that is formidable enough to grow people’s destinies, not only in the South West but Nigeria as a country.

He described him as an excellent performer, loyal partyman and indefatigable leader of leaders, who is genuinely committed to nation building, development and prosperity of his people.

“Dr. Eddy Olafeso is a leader, father and a figure whose reputation, in the area of human development and people’s welfarism cannot be overlooked. He has contributed meaningfully to the socio-economic and political landscape of Nigeria and beyond” the Commissioner said.

“I wish this special gift of GOD to humanity a resounding celebration on this special occasion. Many more fruitful and prosperous years ahead by HIS grace, AMEN.”

Congratulations my boss and brother!

Signed:
Rev. Bunmi Jenyo,
Honourable Commissioner,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Osun State.
18th February, 2025.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE TO OSUN PEOPLE: STAY AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIATS

●CONDOLES VICTIMS OF APC ILLEGAL TAKE OVER BID

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed Osun residents including politicians across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.

This was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in Osogbo on Monday.

In a reaction to the current illegal APC takeover bid of local governments in Osun state, the Governor affirmed that since the local government workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

“I therefore direct all law abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats especially as they are expected to be under lock and key.

“I equally condole families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed”, the Governor lamented.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties, affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.

YOU CAN’T RETURN TO OFFICE  – PDP TELLS SACKED OSUN STATE LG CHAIRMEN, COUNCILORS

…ASSERTS APPEAL COURT JUDGMENT SEALED THEIR FATE

…ASKS IGP TO HOLD OSUN APC RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLENCE, KILLINGS

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig cautions the sacked Osun State Local Government Chairmen and Councilors to perish the thought of forcing themselves back into office as such will amount to a futile venture with dire consequences.

This was contained in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Olorunagba on Monday.

The PDP also charges the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the reality and end its resort to self-help, misrepresentations, vituperations, violence and killing with the aim to trigger crisis and destabilize the State, having realized that it has irredeemably lost.

The PDP asserts that the fate of the ousted Local Government Chairmen and Councilors was sealed by the Judgment of the Court to Appeal which nullified the unconstitutional attempt by the then Governor Gboyega Oyetola to illegally plant them as Local Government officers in the guise of an election.

Having been roundly rejected by the people of Osun State in the Saturday, July 16, 2022, governorship election, the then Governor Oyetola and the APC ought to have known that attempting to side-step the laws and manipulate the process to illegally foist APC members and apologists as Local Government Chairmen and Counselors was an exercise in futility which was bound to fail ultimately.

The APC is the architect of its misfortune. It should have known that disregarding and refusing to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and the Osun State Local Government Election Laws with respect to the requirement on notices, processes and procedures of conducting local government election is destined to be fatal and irreparable.

We counsel the Osun State APC to stop playing to the gallery by trying to bring in the exulted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria into disrepute by hopelessly dropping the President’s name at public spaces in their desperate but pathetic and unrealizable attempt to garner undeserved sympathy.

The APC should note that our nation operates a federal system of government with clearly entrenched devolution of powers among the federating units as well as the various sub-national tiers of government. It should therefore desist from the fruitless attempt to drag President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government into the issue of local government election which, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), is within the purview of the State and has no connection whatsoever with the Federal Government.

If the APC believes that it is truly popular in Osun State as it claims, it should rather get ready for election as already scheduled by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) instead of holding unto an imaginary strand of straw and instigating violence and killings in the State.

Our Party strongly condemns the violence and killing of some youths today by APC thugs and calls on the Inspector General of Police to hold APC leaders in Osun State responsible and bring them to book for this heinous crime.

The PDP calls on the people of Osun State to remain calm, law-abiding and get ready for the Local Government Election as they continue to support Governor Ademola Adeleke in his outstanding delivery of monumental life-enhancing projects and programs in the State.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE TO OSUN PEOPLE: STAY AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIATS

●CONDOLES VICTIMS OF APC ILLEGAL TAKE OVER BID

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed Osun residents including politicians across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.

This was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in Osogbo on Monday.

In a reaction to the current illegal APC takeover bid of local governments in Osun state, the Governor affirmed that since the local government workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

“I therefore direct all law abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats especially as they are expected to be under lock and key.

“I equally condole families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed”, the Governor lamented.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties, affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.

REV. BUNMI JENYO CELEBRATES CHILDHOOD FRIEND, ACP OLUBUNMI ATANDA OTITOOLA AT BIRTHDAY

The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has celebrated his childhood friend and namesake, ACP Olubunmi Atanda Otitoola on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday.

According to the Commissioner, ACP Otitoola is a special gift of GOD to humanity, whose stints since birth cannot be swept under the carpet.

He described him as a kind-hearted individual who is genuinely committed to contributing his quota towards the welfare and progress of others.

“Today, I celebrate a true friend, a brother and a responsible gentleman officer, whose virtues as GOD’s creature cannot be treated with a hand of levity. He is indeed a special gift of GOD to humanity”, the Commissioner said.

“May GOD Almighty continue to give you the needed strength, sound health and ceaseless happiness to do more for yourself, family and humanity in general, AMEN.”, he said.

Signed:
Rev. Bunmi Jenyo,
Honourable Commissioner,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Osun State.
16th February, 2025.

PRESS CONFERENCE BY HE, SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE.
 
Gentlemen of the press
 
I called this press conference to alert the national and global audience about a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy in Osun state. I invite you all to expose a fascist anti-democratic agenda designed to enforce a non-existing court judgment on our local governments. This evil plot is being spearheaded by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Mr Gboyega Oyetola in active collaboration with the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the Osun state Director of DSS and the State Commandant of the Civil Defense Corps.
 
Before I continue this address, let me affirm that I know Mr. President to be a true democrat, a lover of rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process. I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr. President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr. President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed.
 
I, however, regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has concluded an arrangement to cause mayhem in Osun state starting from Monday. He is issuing illegal directives to security operatives to enforce illegality simply because he is the nephew of Mr. President. I chose to alert the nation before my people are killed or maimed by a minister  dropping the name of Mr. President in connivance with the Osun state security operatives obeying unlawful orders.
 
The bone of contention is the brazen effrontery to return to office council chairmen sacked  by a subsisting court Judgment using a different court decision, which has no consequential order.
 
Let me make it clear that the said Council Chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor of Osun State, contrary to the lies being peddled, that the Chairmen and councilors were sacked by my Executive Order.
 
For emphasis, l want to state that I had nothing to do with the sacking of the chairmen and councilors produced by the Osun 2022 local government polls.The Chairmen and Councilors were sacked by two different judgments of the Federal High Court Osogbo.
 
The script Mr Oyetola is playing is about the most reprehensible abuse of power in this fourth republic capable of untold and unforeseen consequences on the polity.
 
The general public is aware that there were two different Federal  High Court judgments on the local government election of 2022. The first judgment was on the suit filed by the People Democratic Party (PDP) which sacked the product of the  2022 polls. The second judgment was on the suit filed by the Action People Party (APP), which also sacked the Chairmen and Councillors produced by the said 2022 Osun Local Government polls.
 
The APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the PDP was partially successful, and the said judgment was struck out  based on the timing of filing, having been filed before the notice of election was published.
 
It needs to be emphasized that the judgment contains no consequential orders.The APC in its amended notice of Appeal, asked the Court of Appeal to reinstate the sacked chairmen and councilors, but the Court of Appeal in its wisdom said it has become an academic exercise. The request for the reinstatement of the Chairmen and Councilors was not granted.
 
However, the Appeal by the APC against the APP judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal, which makes the judgment still subsisting and alive.
 
The Court of Appeal dismissed the APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the APP.  The only legal recourse open to the APC is to appeal the APP judgment and the subsequent rulings of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.
 
The Certified True Copies of both judgements had earlier been forwarded to the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and the state Commandant of Civil Defense by the Osun state Attorney General for their information and records.
 
The Certified True Copies of  both judgments are in the public domain. The judgment of the Court of Appeal on the PDP case was not ambiguous whatsoever. It simply struck out the PDP suit and did not in any of its paragraphs order the reinstatement of the sacked council chairmen and Councilors.
 
It is very clear that no consequential order was made because the APP case is still subsisting. As I stated earlier, the Court of Appeal said that the request for the reinstatement of the Chairmen and Councilors has become an academic exercise.
 
We call on legal luminaries and the Nigerian Bar Association  to fact check our claims by reading and interpreting the judgments. Even a layman can comprehend the meaning except those with an agenda to destroy the peace and progress of Osun state.
 
In a democratic society governed by the rule of  law, we all must submit to the law. If we are dissatisfied with the outcome of a court process, we can appeal to the next court to end at the Supreme Court. If you are not sure of the meaning and intent of a court judgment, the system expects you to apply for interpretation again through the court system.
 
It is illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-democratic to take the law into your own hands. For a serving minister, the person of Mr Gboyega Oyetola to lead the charge to violate the constitution and foment violence over a judicial process is not only shameful but is sadism and treason taken too far.
 
We have it on good authority that  Mr Gboyega Oyetola  has instructed the Osun state Commissioner of Police,  the state Director of the DSS and the state Commandant of civil defence corps to mobilise security operatives from within Osun to effect the non existent judgement by forcefully taking over the local governments on Monday.
 
Mr Oyetola and the police boss have been holding a series of meetings on how to effect the illegal operations.
 
We affirm that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has no constitutional authority to issue directives to the security agencies.
 
The fact that Mr Oyetola is nephew of Mr. President does not confer any such authority on him.
 
We see this as a gross betrayal  of trust reposed in the Osun state security officers by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
I want to state that the current nefarious activities of Mr Oyetola and bosses of Osun security agencies constitute grave incitement. These need to stop because we are  neither  interested in resorting to self-help nor in support of violence to resolve political matters.  As much as we are law-abiding people, we are fierce protectors of our rights, at night and by the day.
 
I want to place on notice the Nigerian Public, and our friends in the diplomatic community and the lovers of democracy and rule of law that our people will not accept any attempt to impose illegality and anarchy on us.
 
We will not allow any takeover of the local government except through a judicial pronouncement or a democratic process.
 
We vehemently reject any ploy to deploy a non-existing court order to achieve local political power.
 
 
I therefore appeal to  Mr President who is a renown democrat to insist on the rule of law by instructing the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS, the Commandant General of the Civil Defense Corps not to obey an illegal  order from his nephew, Mr Gboyega Oyetola. The Osun State security chiefs should also be called to order.
 
I call on Mr President, to instruct the National Security Adviser, and the Attorney General of the Federation, to personally verify the fact that the Court of Appeal judgement did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen and councilors and the fact that, there is a subsisting judgement of Court that sacked the Chairmen and Councillors  produced by the 2022 local government polls.
 
The Nigerian public should hold Mr Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun state security chiefs responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state tomorrow, Monday, and beyond.
 
It is unfortunate that the Osun state security chiefs are taking instructions from Mr Gboyega Oyetola just because he is the nephew of Mr. President.
 
As much as we will do our best to maintain peace, we call on men and women of goodwill to intervene before it is too late.
 
I thank you for listening

PRESS CONFERENCE BY HE, SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE.
 
Gentlemen of the press
 
I called this press conference to alert the national and global audience about a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy in Osun state. I invite you all to expose a fascist anti-democratic agenda designed to enforce a non-existing court judgment on our local governments. This evil plot is being spearheaded by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Mr Gboyega Oyetola in active collaboration with the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the Osun state Director of DSS and the State Commandant of the Civil Defense Corps.
 
Before I continue this address, let me affirm that I know Mr. President to be a true democrat, a lover of rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process. I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr. President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr. President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed.
 
I, however, regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has concluded an arrangement to cause mayhem in Osun state starting from Monday. He is issuing illegal directives to security operatives to enforce illegality simply because he is the nephew of Mr. President. I chose to alert the nation before my people are killed or maimed by a minister  dropping the name of Mr. President in connivance with the Osun state security operatives obeying unlawful orders.
 
The bone of contention is the brazen effrontery to return to office council chairmen sacked  by a subsisting court Judgment using a different court decision, which has no consequential order.
 
Let me make it clear that the said Council Chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor of Osun State, contrary to the lies being peddled, that the Chairmen and councilors were sacked by my Executive Order.
 
For emphasis, l want to state that I had nothing to do with the sacking of the chairmen and councilors produced by the Osun 2022 local government polls.The Chairmen and Councilors were sacked by two different judgments of the Federal High Court Osogbo.
 
The script Mr Oyetola is playing is about the most reprehensible abuse of power in this fourth republic capable of untold and unforeseen consequences on the polity.
 
The general public is aware that there were two different Federal  High Court judgments on the local government election of 2022. The first judgment was on the suit filed by the People Democratic Party (PDP) which sacked the product of the  2022 polls. The second judgment was on the suit filed by the Action People Party (APP), which also sacked the Chairmen and Councillors produced by the said 2022 Osun Local Government polls.
 
The APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the PDP was partially successful, and the said judgment was struck out  based on the timing of filing, having been filed before the notice of election was published.
 
It needs to be emphasized that the judgment contains no consequential orders.The APC in its amended notice of Appeal, asked the Court of Appeal to reinstate the sacked chairmen and councilors, but the Court of Appeal in its wisdom said it has become an academic exercise. The request for the reinstatement of the Chairmen and Councilors was not granted.
 
However, the Appeal by the APC against the APP judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal, which makes the judgment still subsisting and alive.
 
The Court of Appeal dismissed the APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the APP.  The only legal recourse open to the APC is to appeal the APP judgment and the subsequent rulings of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.
 
The Certified True Copies of both judgements had earlier been forwarded to the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and the state Commandant of Civil Defense by the Osun state Attorney General for their information and records.
 
The Certified True Copies of  both judgments are in the public domain. The judgment of the Court of Appeal on the PDP case was not ambiguous whatsoever. It simply struck out the PDP suit and did not in any of its paragraphs order the reinstatement of the sacked council chairmen and Councilors.
 
It is very clear that no consequential order was made because the APP case is still subsisting. As I stated earlier, the Court of Appeal said that the request for the reinstatement of the Chairmen and Councilors has become an academic exercise.
 
We call on legal luminaries and the Nigerian Bar Association  to fact check our claims by reading and interpreting the judgments. Even a layman can comprehend the meaning except those with an agenda to destroy the peace and progress of Osun state.
 
In a democratic society governed by the rule of  law, we all must submit to the law. If we are dissatisfied with the outcome of a court process, we can appeal to the next court to end at the Supreme Court. If you are not sure of the meaning and intent of a court judgment, the system expects you to apply for interpretation again through the court system.
 
It is illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-democratic to take the law into your own hands. For a serving minister, the person of Mr Gboyega Oyetola to lead the charge to violate the constitution and foment violence over a judicial process is not only shameful but is sadism and treason taken too far.
 
We have it on good authority that  Mr Gboyega Oyetola  has instructed the Osun state Commissioner of Police,  the state Director of the DSS and the state Commandant of civil defence corps to mobilise security operatives from within Osun to effect the non existent judgement by forcefully taking over the local governments on Monday.
 
Mr Oyetola and the police boss have been holding a series of meetings on how to effect the illegal operations.
 
We affirm that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has no constitutional authority to issue directives to the security agencies.
 
The fact that Mr Oyetola is nephew of Mr. President does not confer any such authority on him.
 
We see this as a gross betrayal  of trust reposed in the Osun state security officers by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
I want to state that the current nefarious activities of Mr Oyetola and bosses of Osun security agencies constitute grave incitement. These need to stop because we are  neither  interested in resorting to self-help nor in support of violence to resolve political matters.  As much as we are law-abiding people, we are fierce protectors of our rights, at night and by the day.
 
I want to place on notice the Nigerian Public, and our friends in the diplomatic community and the lovers of democracy and rule of law that our people will not accept any attempt to impose illegality and anarchy on us.
 
We will not allow any takeover of the local government except through a judicial pronouncement or a democratic process.
 
We vehemently reject any ploy to deploy a non-existing court order to achieve local political power.
 
 
I therefore appeal to  Mr President who is a renown democrat to insist on the rule of law by instructing the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS, the Commandant General of the Civil Defense Corps not to obey an illegal  order from his nephew, Mr Gboyega Oyetola. The Osun State security chiefs should also be called to order.
 
I call on Mr President, to instruct the National Security Adviser, and the Attorney General of the Federation, to personally verify the fact that the Court of Appeal judgement did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen and councilors and the fact that, there is a subsisting judgement of Court that sacked the Chairmen and Councillors  produced by the 2022 local government polls.
 
The Nigerian public should hold Mr Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun state security chiefs responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state tomorrow, Monday, and beyond.
 
It is unfortunate that the Osun state security chiefs are taking instructions from Mr Gboyega Oyetola just because he is the nephew of Mr. President.
 
As much as we will do our best to maintain peace, we call on men and women of goodwill to intervene before it is too late.
 
I thank you for listening

REV. BUNMI JENYO CONGRATULATES HON. CLEMENT AKANNI ON HIS RECENT APPOINTMENT

The Osun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has congratulated the Honourable representing Ila Federal Constituency, Hon. Clement Akanni (Olohunwa), on his appointment as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on South West Development Commission.

The Commissioner lauded the member of the Federal House of Representatives, for his unflinching support for development, ranging from the grassroots to the national level.

Rev. Jenyo who noted that Honourable Akanni is a committed lover of humanity, stressed that the leadership of the green chamber has put the round peg in a round hole.

According to the Commissioner, “I sincerely congratulate my Friend and brother, Honourable Clement Akanni (Olohunwa), on his current appointment as the Vice Chairman of the house committee on the South West Development Commission”.

“Honourable Akanni is a fine gentleman, who is genuinely committed to the welfare of people at the grassroots. A strong pillar of support to his constituents, I know he will use his new office to contribute more and meaningfully to his people, and the entire Yorubaland in general”.

“I heartily congratulate him and pray that GOD Almighty will give him the wisdom, strength and enablement to succeed in all the assignments of his new office, AMEN”, the Commissioner said.

Signed:
Rev. Bunmi Jenyo,
Honourable Commissioner,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
Osun State.
15th February, 2025.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE VOWS TO MATERIALIZE SHARED PROSPERITY, RESILIENCE IN EVER-CHANGING ECONOMIC DYNAMICS

Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State has vowed to leave no stone unturned to bring about a shared prosperity for his people, despite the ever-changing economic dynamics.

This declaration was made by the Governor at the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Roundtable on expanding and promoting investment opportunities in Nigeria, held in Abuja recently.

According to the Governor “allow me to turn your attention to Osun State, a State rich in history, diversity and potential, with sectors ripe for investment and immense opportunity in agriculture,
culture, electrical energy. Osun is home to a highly skilled workforce, a serene environment, and a people known for their
resilience and creativity. We pride ourselves on being a source of Nigeria’s diversity and potential with sectors ripe for investment in mining, technology, tourism, and infrastructure”.

“Our administration is unwavering in its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment. In Osun, through OSUN STATE
INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY (OSIPA), we have implemented policies that prioritize ease of doing business, transparency and accountability. Our goal is simple: to make Osun State the preferred destination for foreign and domestic investments”.

“With our fertile land and favorable climate, Osun offers untapped in cocoa, cassava, and other crops, with significant room for mechanization and export-oriented processing. Our administration offers
opportunities in agribusiness. We are working to develop value chains in Cocoa, cassava and other crops with significant room for mechanisation and export-oriented processing. Our administration recently procured several tractors to enhance mechanized farming”.

“Osun is rich in mineral resources, including gold, granite and limestone. We are committed to harnessing these resources sustainably
through partnerships with investors, ensuring value addition and local community development”, the Governor said.

The Governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on OSIPA, Hon. Olalekan Felix Olatunji, among a host of others.