Osun LG Chairmen Drag FG, Governor to Court Over Tenure Expiry Date

By Adedamola Odeyemi, Osogbo.

Elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Osun State have dragged the Federal Government and the state authorities to court over an alleged attempt to cut short their tenure.

The case was filed at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, during the weekend . The officials, who were elected in October 2022, told the court that their tenure should run until February 19, 2028.

They argued that their time in office legally began on the date they held their first sitting in February 2025, not on the election date.

In the suit, the chairmen are asking the court to declare that any move to end their tenure in October 2025 would be illegal. “Attempts being made by the Defendants to terminate the tenure of office of the Claimants are illegal and unlawful,” they stated.

They also challenged the statement of the Attorney General of the Federation issued in February, claiming that their tenure will end in October 2025.

The chairmen described the directive as “ultra vires, unconstitutional, null and void to the extent of his curtailing the tenure of office.”

The claimants further asked the court to restrain the Governor of Osun State, the Attorney General of the state, the House of Assembly, and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission from conducting fresh elections while their tenure is still running.

They argued that bringing in new council members before February 2028 would violate Section 7 of the Constitution, which guarantees democratically elected local government councils. “The 3rd–6th Defendants cannot validly curtail the tenure of office of the Claimants below the three years statutorily stipulated,” the summons read.

The officials also prayed the court to order the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to provide security for them until 2028. According to them, this is necessary to “preserve, protect and enforce the Claimants’ constitutionally and statutorily guaranteed tenure of office.”