The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has criticised claims by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and former local government chairmen that they will remain in office pending a Supreme Court ruling on their tenure.
Speaking in Osogbo on Tuesday, Mr Alimi described the position as unconstitutional and “a rape of democracy”, insisting that no elected official has the right to remain in office beyond an expired tenure while pursuing legal action to extend it.
The controversy follows a statement attributed to the Osun APC and chairmen who were earlier removed from office by the courts, asserting that they would continue to occupy their positions until the Supreme Court determines their case on tenure elongation.
Mr Alimi said such a stance amounted to a declaration of “war on democratic practices and the rule of law”, adding that it had alarmed legal practitioners and pro-democracy advocates across the state.
“We assert unequivocally that the self-awarded tenure of the court-sacked chairmen lapsed on 22 October 2025, and they must vacate office while pursuing their bid to elongate their illegal tenure,” he said. “There is nowhere in our laws or constitution that permits an office holder to remain in office in order to extend tenure.”
The commissioner further argued that the Supreme Court’s existing judgment on the matter remains binding, noting that the Attorney General of the Federation had sworn an affidavit before the court affirming that the tenure of the affected chairmen expired in October 2025.
“That is the position of the law,” Mr Alimi added.
He also dismissed suggestions that political influence or personal connections could justify a breach of constitutional order, stressing that being related to any political leader could not serve as grounds for disregarding the law.
Mr Alimi welcomed the growing involvement of civil society and pro-democracy groups, saying their intervention was necessary to safeguard democratic norms.
“We note the rising awareness and involvement of pro-democracy societies. We must protect our democracy from agents of impunity,” he said. “What is happening in Osun should concern all lovers of democracy and men of goodwill, both locally and internationally.”
The Osun State APC has yet to formally respond to the commissioner’s remarks.
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