Clarifying the Court of Appeal’s Ruling on Osun LG Chairmen: Facts Over Falsehoods
In light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling delivered today, 13th June 2025, regarding the Osun Local Government Chairmen matter, it’s important to clarify widespread misconceptions and deliberate misrepresentations of the court’s actual position.
Today’s decision—authored by Justice Obiorah JCA and agreed to unanimously—was a procedural one. Specifically, it denied the APC’s request to have an already-dismissed appeal relisted. This was a technical matter relating strictly to court processes. It did not revisit or overturn the Court of Appeal’s earlier substantive judgment delivered on 10th February 2025.
Let it be unequivocally stated: the February 10th ruling, which reinstated the elected LG Chairmen by allowing their appeal, stands intact. That judgment remains binding, unchallenged, and fully in effect. Today’s ruling has no bearing on the legitimacy of that earlier decision.
To suggest otherwise is to either misunderstand the law or to willfully distort it. The procedural dismissal of an application to relist does not, and cannot, undo a valid judgment that hasn’t been appealed or set aside by a higher court.
The reinstated Chairmen, therefore, continue to lawfully hold office unless and until a superior court says otherwise—a development that has not occurred.
The truth is clear. The law is settled. No amount of political spin can change that.
Misbau Alamu Lateef, PhD
Akogun Odugbire Compound
Ifon, Orolu L.G
Osun State
