The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

 

In a letter dated February 17, and addressed to the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Alao Kamorudeen, spokesperson of the party in Osun, said participating in the poll would contradict the ruling of an appeal court.

 

“Recall that judgment of the federal high court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on Feb. 10 by the court of appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and 3 others V. Peoples Democratic Party and others,” the letter reads.

 

“By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the appeal court. The implication of the court of appeal judgment as cited above is that the seats are no longer vacant.

 

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby state that APC and all its candidates have by this letter informed the commission that we withdraw from the local government election scheduled for Feb. 22.

 

“Same as becoming unnecessary, superfluous and unlawful with the development.”

 

On Monday, five persons were reportedly killed when supporters of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed over the attempted resumption of sacked LG chairpersons.

 

The Osun state caucus in the national assembly and Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, have accused Gboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, of being behind the mayhem.

 

On February 19, some of the sacked APC chairpersons and councillors returned to LG secretariats to resume work.