By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Court of Appeal judgment reinstating the elected council chairmen and councillors who were chased out of office by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s government over two years ago.
The APC lauded the justices for delivering a sound verdict, describing it as a welcome development that has further proven “the power of light over darkness.”
The party specifically acknowledged the tremendous contributions of the immediate past governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who has been unilaterally financing the party, particularly most of the litigations filed.
It will be recalled that the local government officers, who were elected on October 15, 2022, under the platform of the APC, were sacked by Governor Ademola Adeleke upon assuming office.
The APC state chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, on Monday, described the Appeal Court’s judgment as “Vox populi, vox Dei.”
The party acknowledged the implications of the judgment, which has given legal backing to the reinstated council officers to return to office with immediate effect.
According to Lawal: “It is worthwhile to commend the judiciary for always proving to be the hope of the common man, as manifested in today’s judgment, where the justices of the Court of Appeal unanimously delivered the verdict reinstating the removed APC council chairmen and councillors.
“It is still fresh in our memories how the incumbent Governor Adeleke chased out the elected council officers, who were elected in 2022 under the administration of our party’s leader, the then Executive Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.
“But today, we give thanks to God that light has prevailed over darkness, and we are victorious. The sound judgment unanimously delivered by the justices of the Appeal Court is a clear testimony to the Osun people’s mandate, willingly given to our party in all the 30 local government council areas and the Ife-East Modakeke Area Office.
“We commend the leader of our great party, the former governor of our dear state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on this victory. We equally thank him for his continued support of the party.
“No doubt, he has been unilaterally financing all the litigations and cases filed by the party and many more. This has been the driving force and source of motivation for us. We pray that God continues to strengthen him.
“We congratulate all the reinstated council chairmen and councillors on this judicial victory. We equally rejoice with the good people of the state for their resilience and support for our party throughout the dark period. This is a victory for all,” Lawal added.