The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ademola Adeleke, accusing him of appointing himself as the Commissioner for Works.
The APC, as the opposition party, lodged the suit at the State High Court in Osogbo, contesting both Governor Adeleke’s self-appointment and the appointment of his deputy, Kola Adewusi, as the Commissioner for Sports and Special Needs. The appointments were officially announced by the Osun State government on July 19, 2023.
Represented by their lawyer, Sherif Oluyombo, the APC raised objections to these appointments and asked the court to determine whether a sitting governor is legally allowed to hold any other executive office.
They referred to Section 192(2) and (5) of the Nigerian constitution, seeking clarification on the validity of such appointments without the nomination being forwarded to and confirmed by the State’s House of Assembly.
The report also highlights that Governor Adeleke is not the first public officeholder to hold multiple roles. It points out past instances, such as former President Muhammadu Buhari appointing himself as the petroleum minister in 2015 and later having Ibe Kachikwu as the minister of state for petroleum during his first term, followed by Timipre Sylva in his second term, without facing objections from party members.
The outcome of this court case may also have implications for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, potentially affecting his ability to serve in a ministerial capacity if the court deems double appointments by elected officials as illegal.
