The reinstated Local Government Chairmen and Councillors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have urged the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo to grant all the reliefs sought in an ongoing tenure determination suit.
At the court session on Wednesday, counsel to the Osun State Government, Musbau Aderumbi (SAN), acknowledged the February 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal which reinstated the APC-elected officials. Following proceedings, the presiding judge, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, adjourned the matter for judgment until May 21, 2026.
Earlier in the proceedings, the All Progressives Movement (APM) sought and was granted joinder as the 7th defendant in the suit. However, the court declined to allow the party to file a defence upon its inclusion. Reacting, counsel to the 7th defendant, Yinka Okedara (SAN), argued that the decision undermined the claimants’ right to amend the originating summons to reflect the newly joined party, as well as respond to any defence it might present.
The case, marked FHC/OS/CS/147/2025 between Onibonokuta Saheed & 7 Others v. Attorney General of the Federation & 6 Others, centers on the tenure of the reinstated officials. The plaintiffs are seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration on whether they are entitled to a three-year tenure commencing from February 2025. They also questioned the legality of elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) on February 22, 2025, during what they describe as the subsisting tenure of the reinstated officials.
Counsel to the claimants, Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), argued that their request aligns with existing legal provisions. However, the court overruled preliminary objections and directed that hearing proceed. Additional concerns raised by the claimants regarding the commencement of hearing were similarly dismissed.
In his submission, Aderumbi urged the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that the tenure of the reinstated chairmen and councillors expired in October 2025.
Countering the argument, Gbadamosi clarified that the claimants were not seeking tenure elongation but rather a judicial interpretation of the law governing when tenure begins—specifically, whether it should commence from the date of the first sitting. He further contended that, given the admission that the tenure ended in October 2025, the elections and swearing-in conducted on February 23, 2025, are invalid.
The claimants’ counsel subsequently urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought.
Other members of the claimants’ legal team included Barrister Adeoye Galadima and others, while the Nigeria Police and the Attorney General of the Federation were also represented by counsel.
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