HURIWA Calls on President Tinubu to Enforce Appellate Court's Ruling, End Anarchy in Osun State

HURIWA, a human rights group, has urged President Tinubu to intervene and stop the forceful occupation of local government areas in Osun State by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The group claims this is a clear violation of the Court of Appeal's judgment, which affirmed the electoral victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors. HURIWA fears that if the federal authorities fail to enforce the appellate court's decision, it could lead to a deeper descent into lawlessness and signal tacit endorsement of impunity.

Key Takeaways:

• HURIWA has appealed to President Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police to expel members of the APC and their loyalists who have forcefully occupied local government secretariats in Osun State.
• The group has expressed dismay over the refusal of federal security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to act in accordance with the appellate court's judgment validating the PDP-led local governments in Osun.
• HURIWA has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to issue clear directives for the immediate enforcement of the court's ruling and direct the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to withdraw all police personnel guarding the illegal occupants of the council offices.
• The group has lauded the Osun State Attorney-General, Wole Jimi-Bada, for his unwavering defence of the rule of law and has called for urgent collaboration between the federal and Osun State governments to restore constitutional order across the state's 30 local government areas and development councils.
• HURIWA has also cited the legal opinion of constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, who described the Court of Appeal judgment as 'final, binding and not subject to any stay or political interpretation'.
• The association has vowed to sustain its advocacy until the PDP-elected officials are reinstated and the constitutional order is fully restored.

Statistics:

• June 3, 2024, marked the date when the Court of Appeal in Akure dismissed a motion filed by the APC seeking to relist its earlier appeal against the judgment of the Osun State High Court.
• 30 local government areas and development councils in Osun State remain embroiled in the dispute.
• Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, and all advocates of democracy have been urged to speak up in defence of constitutionalism and judicial authority.

Sources:

• "Osun PDP Chairmen, Councilors' Victory Stands As APC's Case Dismissed By Appeal Court," *The Nation*, June 3, 2024.
• "HURIWA Condemns Forceful Takeover of Osun Council Secretariats," *The Guardian*, [undated].
• "HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko," *The Punch*, [undated].
• "Constitutional Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome," *The Sun*, [undated].