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Tag: Kunle Adegoke

  • Osun council crisis: Ozekhome faults Adegoke’s claims on court verdicts

    Osun council crisis: Ozekhome faults Adegoke’s claims on court verdicts

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has faulted Kunle Adegoke (SAN), over his claims on the status of the sacked local government chairmen in Osun State.

     Adegoke, in a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and apex bank, which he copied  the Accountant-General, urged them to recognise the APC’s acclaimed council reinstated executives and resist the interpretations of Ozekhome over control of councils in Osun.

    But, Ozekhome, a constitutional lawyer, described Adegoke’s letter as “misleading” and “legally distorted,” particularly in its interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022, saying the AGF, CBN and other agencies should reject it.

    He clarified that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment of February 10, 2025, did not affirm the reinstatement of the APC excos who were removed following the controversial council elections of October 15, 2022.

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    According to him, the appellate court merely struck out the PDP’s suit on procedural grounds, having deemed the issues “academic. The court clarified that it did not delve into the merits of the alleged reinstatement. Any contrary claim is false,” Ozekhome stated.

    He accused the state chapter of the APC of misrepresenting the ruling in a bid to regain control of the councils, warning that such conduct undermines both judicial integrity and democratic principles.

    Ozekhome further emphasised that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/103/22, delivered on November 30, 2022, had sacked the APC officials.

    He added: “All attempts to relitigate or overturn that judgment have failed. Even after fresh elections were conducted on February 22, 2025, to fill the vacant council seats, the APC still falsely paraded the claim of being reinstated.

  • SAN urges AGF, CBN to resist misleading claims on Osun council crisis

    SAN urges AGF, CBN to resist misleading claims on Osun council crisis

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Adegoke, has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resist what he described as “anarchy-driven” interpretations of the court ruling on the ongoing crisis over control of local councils in Osun State.

    In a letter dated June 26, 2025, and also copied to the Accountant-General, Director-General of the DSS, Commandant-General of the NSCDC, and the Inspector General of Police, Adegoke criticised fellow SAN, Professor Mike Ozekhome, over his letter supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members as legitimate council executives.

    Adegoke, who is counsel to the reinstated All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen, described Ozekhome’s position in the letter to AGF Fagbemi as containing “inaccuracies, half-truths and distortions” aimed at undermining the ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on February 10, 2025, which reinstated the APC executives.

    He condemned the actions of political actors, particularly some PDP members of the House of Representatives, for allegedly spreading false narratives regarding the situation.

    According to him, the judgment in suit number CA/AK/270/2022 remains the valid and binding judicial decision affirming the APC Chairmen and Councillors as the duly elected officials for the 30 local government councils in Osun State.

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    “The ruling did not merely strike down the lower court’s decision on technical grounds; it addressed the matter on its merit and unequivocally allowed APC’s appeal. This is the true and authentic position of the law.”

    He explained that that the June 13, 2025 Judgment cited by Ozekhome is being mischievously twisted to suggest that the Court of Appeal validated the PDP’s so-called election of February 22, 2025. 

    Adegoke described the citation as false, saying,pp “The June 13 ruling pertained to a motion to relist a sister appeal in the APM matter, which the Court rightly refused, stating that doing so would amount to reviewing or sitting in appeal over its own February 10, 2025 decision. The leading ruling explicitly warned against the confusion that such a resurrection would create. Nowhere did the leading ruling affirm the PDP’s chairmen and lawmakers purported election.”

    He urged on Fagbemi, to disregard Prof. Ozekhome’s letter, saying “This is not just a matter of partisan dispute. It is a crucible in which the soul of our democracy is being tested. Will legal order prevail over political expediency? Will truth overcome manipulation? Will the law be supreme?”

  • Legal giant, Kunle Adegoke’s declaration raises stakes in Osun gubernatorial election

    Legal giant, Kunle Adegoke’s declaration raises stakes in Osun gubernatorial election

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and astute political activist Kunle Rasheed Adegoke has officially declared his intention to contest the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adegoke’s declaration comes amidst a flurry of political activities as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, civil societies and other stakeholders prepare for the August 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election. 

    The Osun State election is seen by observers as a litmus test for the Nigerian political system, coming a year ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Popularly known as K-RAD, Adegoke is making a second bid for the APC’s ticket, following his participation in the 2018 APC primaries.

    A native of Osogbo, Adegoke is well respected for his legal expertise and political and human rights activism within and outside the state. 

    Adegoke’s socio-political platform, “Tiwa N Tiwa L’Osun” emphasises economic revitalisation and socio-political development. 

    He has articulated a comprehensive blueprint (Assured Future) aimed at transforming Osun State’s critical sectors including economy, focusing on job creation, infrastructure development, and improved public services. 

    He also underscored the importance of pragmatic solutions to the state’s challenges, moving beyond ethnic, bloc or regional considerations.

    Political observers said Adegoke stands shoulder high in the contest for the APC ticket citing his expertise, experience and activities within the APC, Osun State and the nation in general.

    He is widely respected as a bridge-builder and had been lauded for his efforts to unify the APC in Osun State. During the 2018 primaries, his candidacy was seen as a bridge between the party’s factions, earning him the moniker “saviour” in certain circles. 

    His legal background and commitment to party ideals have positioned him as a respected figure capable of fostering cohesion within the APC.

    As the 2026 election approaches, the APC’s ability to navigate internal dynamics and present a cohesive strategy will be crucial. Adegoke’s emphasis on competence and policy-driven leadership positions him as a candidate focused on substantive governance issues, potentially appealing to a broad electorate seeking effective solutions to the state’s challenges.

    Observers said the coming months would be pivotal for the APC as it selects its gubernatorial candidate. 

    They argued that the party’s decision-making process would need to balance considerations of regional representation, candidate competence, and electoral viability to maximize its chances of success in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

    In the 2018 primaries, Adegoke, while raising concerns about certain anomalies, had chosen to remain faithful to the party’s decision, emphasizing his commitment to democratic principles and party loyalty and unity.

    While K-RAD personally has been a consistent advocate of meritocracy, holding that leadership should be determined by competence and the ability to deliver good governance, rather than regional affiliations, his declaration has also deepened ongoing debate about APC’s zoning arrangements for the upcoming election. 

    Some party members have advocated for zoning the governorship ticket to Osun West to promote fairness and inclusivity.

    Despite his stance against zoning, Adegoke’s Osogbo origin has sparked discussions about regional representation in Osun’s political landscape. 

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    Some stakeholders argued that Osogbo, having not produced a governor since the state’s creation, deserves the opportunity. 

    However, others caution against concentrating power in one senatorial zone, suggesting that such a move could alienate other regions and impact the party’s electoral prospects.

    Adegoke’s candidacy added to a growing list of APC aspirants vying for the governorship ticket. These included the party’s National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru (SRJ), Asiwaju Muniru Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO); Senator Hassan Hussein; Iyiola Omisore; Dotun Babayemi and Senator Babajide Omoworare.

    Political analysts said the growing list of eminent personalities contesting for the APC ticket presents a major challenge of managing these ambitions to prevent internal discord and ensure a united front in the August 16 2026 gubernatorial election.