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HURIWA Urges President Tinubu to Uphold Court Judgment in Osun State

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), have been urged by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to enforce a Court of Appeal judgment affirming the legitimacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s chairmen and councillors in Osun State. The association's National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called for federal intervention to uphold the rule of law and direct the Inspector-General of Police to expel APC loyalists occupying local government secretariats in the state. HURIWA expressed concern that APC-aligned individuals, backed by armed police officers, continue to obstruct access to the secretariats and prevent PDP officials from assuming office.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by the APC, upholding the PDP's mandate in Osun State.
  • The ruling declared the May 2022 local government elections held under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola as illegal.
  • Despite the ruling, APC-aligned individuals continue to occupy local government secretariats, obstructing PDP officials from assuming office.
  • HURIWA called for the attorney-general to direct the enforcement of the court's ruling without delay.
  • The group demanded that the Inspector-General of Police withdraw police officers shielding the illegal occupants and ensure PDP officials assume their rightful positions.
  • Citing a legal opinion by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), HURIWA noted that the Court of Appeal's ruling is final, binding, and not subject to any stay or political interpretation.
  • The use of state-backed force to impose party loyalists in office is a dangerous return to authoritarianism, according to HURIWA.

Statistics:

  • The Court of Appeal affirmed the legitimacy of the PDP's chairmen and councillors in a ruling delivered on June 3, 2024.
  • The affected local government areas and development councils in Osun State total 30.
  • The May 2022 local government elections were declared illegal by the court.
  • The ruling is final, binding, and not subject to any stay or political interpretation, according to Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

Sources:

  • HURIWA
  • The Court of Appeal
  • Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN)
  • Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria
  • Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

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