By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Osun State Government has urged the Federal Government to recognise the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors, all of whom emerged on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The move comes amid a leadership tussle, as chairmen installed during the previous administration of ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now a minister, continue to occupy council secretariats, citing a court judgment that purportedly validates their tenure.

In a letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, the state government sought federal backing for the newly elected officials.

The letter was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tesleem Igbalaye.

The state government insisted that the PDP-led councils should be accorded recognition, as the February 22, 2025, local government election was the only valid exercise. It cited a Federal High Court ruling that had invalidated the 2022 local government election conducted under Oyetola’s administration.

To reinforce its position, Osun State Government attached court judgments supporting the legitimacy of the newly sworn-in officials across the state’s 30 local government areas and area offices.

The letter read, “We humbly implore your office to recognise and deal with the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who were validly elected on February 22, 2025, as those elected in 2022 have been removed by a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court.”

The development highlights the political face-off between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress in the state, with both parties laying claim to control of the local councils.