Osun State Crisis: Civil Society Groups Demand Enforcement of Court Rulings and Restoration of Democratic Governance

Strategic Insights -

Two prominent civil society organizations in Nigeria, the Nigeria Society for Democracy and Good Governance (NSDGG) and the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity, have issued a stark warning to the federal government over the ongoing crisis in Osun State. The groups have condemned the "unlawful occupation" of local government council secretariats by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and demanded that the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance take immediate action to implement existing court rulings declaring the APC officials' occupancy of council offices illegal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NSDGG and the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity have called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance to implement existing court rulings declaring the APC officials' occupancy of council offices illegal.
  • The groups have urged the Minister of Finance to halt all financial allocations to the APC officials still occupying the secretariats, citing a gross misuse of public funds and a violation of democratic principles.
  • The organizations have emphasized that their demands are not partisan, but grounded in the principles of justice, constitutionalism, and the sanctity of the ballot.
  • Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and Councillors were elected on February 22, 2025, but APC officials have continued to occupy the council offices.
  • The groups have warned that failure to act could further erode public confidence and lead to deeper political instability in the state.
  • Comrade Collins Idowu, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity, has appealed directly to the minister of finance to take decisive action to protect the integrity of public finance and democratic institutions.

Statistics:

  • The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) conducted elections on February 19, 2024, contrary to the claim that the elections were conducted on February 22, 2025.
  • The electoral process was in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Sources:

  • THISDAY
  • Nigeria Society for Democracy and Good Governance (NSDGG)
  • Coalition of Civil Society for Justice and Equity