Politics

Osun NULGE Seeks to Withdraw Legal Action Against APC and Local Government Chairmen

Published by admin on July 3rd, 2025.

Osun NULGE Seeks to Withdraw Legal Action Against APC and Local Government Chairmen

The Osun State branch of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has filed a formal notice to discontinue its lawsuit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and elected local government chairmen arising from the disputed October 15, 2022 council elections.

The notice of discontinuance, dated June 25, 2025, was submitted to the Osun State High Court in Ilesa and signed by Musbau Adetunbi (SAN), the claimant’s legal representative.

Punch obtained a copy of the document on Tuesday, confirming it had also been served on Fatima Raji, the lawyer representing the APC.

The legal battle, rooted in a political conflict between the PDP-led Osun State Government and the opposition APC, has severely disrupted grassroots governance. Since the APC-backed council chairmen took office, federal funding to the local governments has reportedly been withheld starting February.

Amidst this tension, NULGE members staged a work stoppage, protesting the takeover of local government offices by the APC chairmen. This action led the union to initiate lawsuit number HIK/5/2025.

The suit named several defendants including the APC, its elected council chairmen, and security agencies such as the Inspector-General of Police, Osun State Police Commissioner, Director-General of the DSS, and Commandant-General of the NSCDC. Additionally, the Governor of Osun State and the State Attorney General were included.

In its notice to withdraw, NULGE cited a ruling issued by the Court of Appeal on June 13, 2025, asserting that the judgment resolved key legal issues raised in the case. The withdrawal application included a copy of the Court of Appeal’s decision, referenced as Appeal No.CA/AK/15/2025.

When the withdrawal request was presented on Tuesday before Justice M. Agboola, it was moved by S. Ayeni, acting on behalf of Adetunbi.

However, the APC’s lawyer, Muhydeen Adeoye, opposed the move, contending that the suit should not be withdrawn based on a ruling from an unrelated case.

Justice Agboola ordered the respondents to submit a formal response to the withdrawal request and adjourned the case until November 25, 2025,for further hearing.