The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has hailed the Appeal Court judgement sitting in Akure, that quashed the attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to relist its dismissed appeal against the sacking of its “Yes/No” chairmen.
The speaker described the judgement as significant affirmation of democracy, underscoring the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law.
Egbedun in a statement following the court’s decision, commended the judiciary for maintaining the sanctity of legal processes, emphasising that “today’s ruling validates the elections of new council chiefs after a valid court order”
“Democracy has come to stay in Osun State,” he declared, highlighting the importance of the legal framework in ensuring a fair political environment.
The court’s ruling, which upheld the 2022 judgement that dismissed the APC’s appeal, confirmed the legality of the newly elected council chairmen from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The previous leadership was dismissed due to non-compliance with a one-year mandatory election notice, creating a vacuum filled by the state electoral commission.
Egbedun, however, expressed gratitude towards Governor Ademola Adeleke for fostering an atmosphere of peace and stability within the state.
“Your efforts have ensured that peace reigns supreme in Osun, allowing democracy to flourish,” he noted, pointing to the collaborative spirit essential for governance.
In a message to the newly elected chairmen, the Speaker congratulated them for their patience and resilience throughout the legal proceedings.
He urged them to embrace their roles with integrity and dedication, reinforcing the need for transparency and accountability in local governance.
Egbedun further called on all citizens to be law-abiding and respect the current ruling, stating, “We must all adhere to the rule of law. The court has spoken, and it is our duty to respect its authority.”
He stressed that any attempt to undermine the court’s decision would not be tolerated, adding that the ruling has implications for the federal government, particularly regarding the Attorney-General and the Finance Minister’s actions to withhold local government funds.
Meanwhile, the court has affirmed that such actions are illegal, urging federal officials to respect the judiciary and align with the principles of democracy.
As the newly elected chairmen prepare to assume office, Egbedun noted that the path to political resolution lied in respect for the law and the democratic processes that underpin governance in Osun State.
