Osun LG Crisis: APC’s Legal Recourse Preventing Chaos – Babayemi

A leading gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has stated that the legal steps taken by the APC in response to the ongoing local government crisis have played a crucial role in averting chaos in the state.

Babayemi emphasized that the party’s decision to pursue legal action demonstrates its commitment to peace and the rule of law. According to him, the legal approach adopted by the APC has helped prevent property destruction, bloodshed, and potential loss of lives.

Commending the leadership of the APC in Osun for their strategic and peaceful response to the crisis, Babayemi praised the party for seeking judicial resolution concerning the delayed resumption of office by the duly elected local government chairmen and councillors.

He also lauded the resilience and maturity of the elected council officials, acknowledging their patience and decision not to take the law into their own hands.

In a statement from his media office, Babayemi noted that the intervention of party leaders, combined with the calm and responsible conduct of the council chairmen and councillors, has helped maintain peace and stability in the state.

“The legal interventions initiated by APC leaders and stakeholders since the onset of the local government crisis have shown that APC is a party of peace and law. Without these steps, Osun could have descended into lawlessness,” he said.

Babayemi pointed out that the current face-off over local government autonomy was not instigated by anyone within the state but rather stems from constitutional provisions upheld by the Supreme Court.

He stressed that adherence to the principles of the three-tier government system would significantly accelerate development at the grassroots.

“Nigeria’s Constitution enshrines a federal system recognizing the federal, state, and local governments. Full implementation of this structure will undoubtedly strengthen our democracy,” said the Gbongan-born prince.

Babayemi also commended the efforts of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Osun APC executive led by Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, for pursuing peaceful resolution through legal channels.

He maintained that the party leadership’s mature and lawful approach, along with the restraint shown by the elected local government officials, has spared the state from widespread crisis.

Meanwhile, Babayemi appealed to local government workers in the state currently on strike under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to call off the strike and return to work.

He urged them to consider the impact of the strike on grassroots communities, saying, “Our people at the local level are the ones bearing the brunt of this impasse. We must prioritize their well-being.”