The All Progressives Congress in Osun has withdrawn from the local government election scheduled for February 22.

The decision to withdraw was announced in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC spokesman in Osun, Alao Kamorudeen, addressed to the secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission.

A copy of the letter stated that APC would not participate based on the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated its chairpersons and councillors.

“Recall that judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on February 10 by the Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and three others V. Peoples Democratic Party and others.

“By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed offices as allowed by the Appeal Court. The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment as cited above is that the seats are no longer vacant,” said the APC letter.

It added, “In view of the foregoing, we hereby state that APC and all its candidates have by this letter informed the commission that we withdraw from the local government election scheduled for February 22. Same as become unnecessary, superfluous and unlawful with the development.”

There has been a crisis between the APC and PDP over the Court of Appeal judgment regarding the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.

While the PDP claimed that the February 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairpersons and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return to local government secretariats.

A violent clash, however, erupted on Monday when both parties were laying claim to local government secretariats across the state.

Police confirmed that six persons lost their lives, and scores were injured during the crisis.

(NAN)