Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have accused the administration of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of deliberately obstructing constitutional governance at the local government level.

The groups — Initiative for Local Government Development (ILGD) and Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, Nigeria (CJCAN) — alleged that the state government has disregarded separate judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which recognised All Progressives Congress (APC)-led chairmen and councillors as the lawful administrators of local governments in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Saturday, the activists expressed concern that instead of complying with what they described as “clear court orders,” the Adeleke administration had allegedly misinterpreted judgments, refused to enforce them, and continued to interfere unlawfully in local government administration.

They listed the alleged actions of the state government to include distortion of court judgments, refusal to give effect to those judgments, and continued interference in local government affairs.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Adebayo Juliet Kanyinsola (ILGD spokesperson), Adeniyi Faith Ayomide (ILGD secretary) and Amusa Opeyemi (Secretary-General, CJCAN) said the Osun State Government had effectively placed itself above the Constitution, amounting to a constitutional breakdown.

The groups, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Osun State, strictly within constitutional limits, to restore the rule of law, enforce court judgments and protect innocent citizens.

“We are compelled to speak because the Osun State Government, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, has continued in a brazen, deliberate and dangerous disregard for the judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, particularly those recognising APC-led chairmen and councillors as lawful administrators of local governments,” the groups said.

They noted that the Constitution clearly establishes the Supreme Court as the final court of the land, with its judgments binding on all authorities, stressing that failure to comply amounts to a violation of Section 1(3) of the Constitution.

According to them, the alleged misrepresentation of court rulings has confused residents, weakened public confidence in the judiciary and incited hostility against legally recognised council officials, contributing to insecurity in the state.

They further alleged that the situation led to the loss of innocent lives, including the killing of Remi Abass, a former chairman of Irewole Local Government.

The CSOs also accused the state government of encouraging illegal strike actions and stay-at-home protests by local government workers under the guise of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), allegedly to frustrate lawful council administration and block access to statutory allocations.

“These actions have rendered councils ineffective, jeopardised salaries and development projects, and denied citizens essential services,” they said, adding that when a state sabotages grassroots governance, the Federal Government has a constitutional duty to intervene.

Justifying their call, the groups cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency where there is a breakdown of public order or a danger that governance cannot be carried out in accordance with the Constitution.

They also urged the Senate to intervene urgently and called on the Inspector-General of Police to expedite investigations and prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Remi Abass.

Meanwhile, another group, Dialogue 365, has criticised Governor Adeleke over the continuous extension of the tenure of the Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye Aina, and the Accountant-General, Rasheed Alabi.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Convener, Waheed Saka, the group said the repeated tenure extensions were demoralising civil servants and creating growing disquiet within the Osun State Civil Service.

According to Saka, the duo were appointed in 2022 and had their tenure extended in 2024, with the current extension due to expire in January 2026. He alleged that there were plans for a further extension.

“What Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is doing in the Osun State Civil Service is demoralising workers. Are there no qualified and competent hands to take over these positions?” Saka asked.

The group called on elders and leaders in Osun State to intervene and advise the governor to reconsider his stance on the key appointments.