The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.
The party announced its decision in a letter dated February 17, signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and sent to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The withdrawal follows a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, which overturned an earlier Federal High Court ruling that had sacked APC’s local government chairmen and councillors.
According to APC, this judgment means that their elected officials have already resumed office, making the upcoming election unnecessary.
The party stated that since the positions are no longer vacant, holding another election would be unlawful.
Tensions between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have risen over the interpretation of the court ruling.
While PDP maintained that the judgment did not reinstate the removed APC officials, APC insisted they have the legal right to reclaim their positions.
This disagreement led to violent clashes on Monday, as both parties attempted to take control of local government secretariats across the state.
The violence resulted in the deaths of six people including a council boss, while several others sustained injuries.
Security forces have been deployed to maintain order in affected areas.
