The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to uphold the sanctity of the rule of law by directing the Inspector-General of Police to immediately expel operatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their loyalists who have forcefully occupied local government secretariats in Osun State. The group noted that this unlawful occupation is in direct violation of a binding judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the electoral victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, HURIWA?s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, warned that the continued failure of federal authorities to enforce the appellate court?s decision risks deepening the nation?s descent into lawlessness and signals tacit endorsement of impunity.

?The rule of law is the cornerstone of any democratic government and must be protected at all costs,? HURIWA declared. ?The refusal of federal security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to act in accordance with the appellate court?s judgment validating the PDP-led local governments in Osun is unacceptable. President Tinubu must now choose between honoring his oath to defend the Constitution and bowing to partisan political interests.?

HURIWA recalled that on June 3, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Akure dismissed a motion filed by the APC seeking to relist its earlier appeal against the judgment of the Osun State High Court, which had nullified the May 2022 local government elections conducted by the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The High Court had declared the electoral process illegal and invalidated all seats purportedly won by the APC. The appellate court upheld this decision, warned against creating judicial confusion, and affirmed the legitimacy of the PDP-led councils.

Despite this unequivocal judicial pronouncement, HURIWA expressed dismay that APC-aligned operatives, under the protection of heavily armed police officers, continue to occupy council secretariats in Osun, effectively preventing the duly elected PDP chairmen and councillors from assuming office.

?The Attorney-General of the Federation, as the chief law officer of the country, must now act decisively in the interest of justice,? Onwubiko said. ?While we respect Mr. Fagbemi (SAN) as a principled legal practitioner, he must demonstrate leadership by issuing clear directives for the immediate enforcement of the court's ruling.?

HURIWA commended the Attorney-General of Osun State, Wole Jimi-Bada, for his unwavering defense of the rule of law and public condemnation of the police-backed takeover. The group called for urgent collaboration between the federal and Osun State governments to restore constitutional order across the state?s 30 local government areas and development councils.

?Government institutions must not be reduced to tools of political conquest,? HURIWA cautioned. ?We salute the principled stance of the Osun Attorney-General and urge the Federal Government to rise above partisan considerations and enforce the law as interpreted by the courts.?

The association also cited the legal opinion of constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, who described the Court of Appeal judgment as ?final, binding, and not subject to any stay or political interpretation.? According to Ozekhome, disregard for such judgments amounts to anarchy and erodes public trust in the justice system.

Comrade Onwubiko echoed this sentiment, stating: ?The use of force to impose party loyalists in government offices is a dangerous regression into dictatorship. This is not only a political crisis?it is a direct violation of the Constitution and a criminal affront to the will of the people.?

HURIWA specifically called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to advise the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately withdraw all police personnel guarding the illegal occupants of the council offices and ensure that the duly elected PDP officials regain access to their offices. The group warned that any delay or refusal would suggest active complicity by federal law enforcement in the ongoing illegality.

?The Attorney-General, as the custodian of constitutional integrity, must not turn a blind eye while anarchy is normalized,? HURIWA stressed. ?It is both morally and legally indefensible that public servants elected through a lawful process, and whose mandate has been judicially affirmed, are treated as outsiders while impostors hold sway under the protection of state-sponsored security personnel.?

The group urged President Tinubu to exhibit statesmanship by distancing his administration from the unlawful events unfolding in Osun State and reaffirming his commitment to protecting democratic institutions rather than entrenching partisan interests.

?Mr. President must rise to the occasion. This is his opportunity to demonstrate that his administration truly upholds the rule of law. Nigerians are watching closely,? the statement added.

HURIWA concluded by calling on the National Assembly to summon the Inspector-General of Police to provide explanations for the failure to enforce a valid court ruling. It also called on the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organizations, and all advocates of democracy to speak up in defense of constitutionalism and judicial authority.

?Nigeria?s democracy cannot thrive if court judgments are reduced to mere suggestions,? HURIWA warned. ?What is happening in Osun State is not just a regional crisis?it is a national threat to justice, democracy, and due process.?

The association vowed to sustain its advocacy until the PDP-elected officials are reinstated and the constitutional order is fully restored.

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