APC, Osun Assembly differ over park management bill

The Osun State House of Assembly has challenged the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress to seek judicial interpretation of the Constitution if it disagrees with the recently passed Osun State Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Bill, 2026.

The Assembly made its position known in a statement on Thursday by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, in response to a statement by the Osun APC opposing the legislation.

The APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, had described the bill as a “legislative harakiri” and “unenforceable”, while calling for its withdrawal.

However, the Assembly accused the party of misinterpreting the 1999 Constitution, particularly provisions relating to the powers of State Houses of Assembly and the functions of Local Government Councils.

It argued that the APC had relied on a selective interpretation of Section 7 of the Constitution without considering the broader constitutional relationship between state governments and local councils.

According to the lawmakers, Section 7(1) guarantees the existence of democratically elected Local Government Councils while requiring each state to ensure their existence under a law prescribing their establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions.

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The Assembly said the provision placed the legislative framework for the establishment, structure, financing and functions of Local Government Councils within the legal framework of the states.

It maintained that the inclusion of motor parks among the functions of Local Government Councils under the Fourth Schedule did not automatically prevent the State House of Assembly from legislating on transportation and park administration.

The lawmakers said the relevant constitutional provisions should be read together, adding that the Constitution also recognises the authority of State Houses of Assembly to confer functions on Local Government Councils through legislation.

The Assembly therefore rejected the APC’s argument that the state legislature was constitutionally barred from legislating on matters concerning Local Government Councils because such matters were listed in the Fourth Schedule.

It said the key constitutional question was whether the State Legislature could establish a legal framework for regulating matters within the state, including transportation, coordination and administration of motor parks and related activities.

The lawmakers also cited Section 100 of the Constitution, which provides for the exercise of legislative powers by State Houses of Assembly through Bills passed by the legislature and, subject to constitutional provisions, assented to by the governor.

According to the Assembly, the Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Bill underwent debate and deliberation by elected representatives before it was passed, adding that the constitutional legislative procedure was followed.

The lawmakers urged the APC to approach a competent court if it remained convinced that the legislation was unconstitutional instead of declaring through press statements that the law was “dead on arrival” or unenforceable.

The Assembly said it had no objection to judicial scrutiny and would abide by the decision of a competent court on any genuine constitutional question.

It, however, cautioned against presenting partisan political assertions as settled constitutional law.

The Assembly also said the legislation was not intended to create a crisis or undermine public peace, but to promote orderliness, transparency, passenger protection, transport safety and digitalised ticketing, while eliminating multiple ticketing and improving coordination within the transport system.

It urged the APC to distinguish political disagreement from constitutional invalidity and reaffirmed its commitment to exercising its legislative mandate in the interest of public safety, accountability and the welfare of Osun residents.