Osun: APC and ADC Challenge Court Rulings, Plan to Appeal

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, have both rejected recent Federal High Court decisions that affect their political interests.

Both parties described the rulings as miscarriages of justice and announced plans to appeal.

The APC criticized a judgment issued by the Federal High Court in Osogbo in a case brought by reinstated local government chairmen and councillors elected in October 2022. Salaam, meanwhile, condemned a separate ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja that ordered the deregistration of the ADC along with several other parties.

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

The party added, “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.”

It argued that no enforcement action should proceed against the officials until the appeal is finally resolved and urged members and supporters to remain calm and law‑abiding while the judicial process unfolds.

The APC also warned against actions that could spark unrest, called on security agencies to stay vigilant, and alleged that some political actors were attempting to stoke tension over the court ruling. It urged the public to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the appeal.

Meanwhile, Salaam described the Abuja Federal High Court ruling that ordered 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 said.

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 remains 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.