Osun: APC, ADC fault court rulings, vow appeals

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Najeem Salaam, have separately rejected recent Federal High Court judgments affecting their political interests.

Both described the rulings as miscarriages of justice and vowed to pursue appeals.

The APC faulted a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo in a suit filed by reinstated local government chairmen and councillors elected in October 2022, while Salaam criticised a separate ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the deregistration of the ADC alongside some other political parties.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC said the Osogbo court erred in dismissing the suit filed by the reinstated local government officials and ruling that the tenure of the elected officers ended in October 2025.

The party maintained that the judgment would be challenged at the Court of Appeal, saying: “The Federal High Court verdict is a miscarriage of justice, and we shall put the judgment to the test at the appropriate venue. The reinstated chairmen and councillors have already filed a notice of appeal alongside a motion for stay of execution.”

The party argued that no enforcement process should be commenced against the officials until the appeal has been finally determined and urged its members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.

The APC also cautioned against actions capable of causing unrest and called on security agencies to remain vigilant. It alleged that some political actors were attempting to create tension over the court ruling and urged the public to exercise restraint pending the determination of the appeal.

Meanwhile, Salaam described the Abuja Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of the ADC as neither the end of the legal process nor the end of the party’s political journey.

He expressed confidence that the judgment would be overturned through constitutional means.

“I have received the news of the Federal High Court judgment purportedly ordering the deregistration of our great party, the ADC, alongside some other political parties. Democracy is governed by the rule of law, and our Constitution provides clear avenues for appeal and judicial review.”

He added: “We are confident that the appropriate legal processes will correct any miscarriage of justice and protect the democratic rights of millions of Nigerians who have chosen the ADC as their political platform.”

Salaam urged party members and supporters across Osun State not to panic, insisting that the ADC remained committed to participating in the August 15 governorship election.

He described the party as a movement driven by aspirations for transparent governance, economic growth, quality education, and improved healthcare.

The ADC candidate said the party’s campaign would continue uninterrupted, noting that support from workers, farmers, artisans, students, youths, women, and professionals across the state reflected confidence in its vision for Osun.