From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has told the newly elected chairmen and councillors to stay away from local government secretariats in their council areas until the State government has used legal means to remove those hwo have forcefully occupied the secretariats.
Speaking at the inauguration of the council chairmen at the Government House, Osogbo, on Sunday – yesterday, February 23 – Adeleke maintained that he relied on the judgment of Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of Friday February 21st, which held that there were vacancies for chairman and councillor positions in all the local government areas, to hold the Saturday council election in Osun State.
“We are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding off a process that started a year or so ago. The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors.
“We are equally aware of the legal controversies that dogged the holding of the election. It is, however, a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution.
“I urge you and your councilors to please stay away from the council secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats.
“An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the Chairman and Councilors positions in all of Osun State local government areas before your election on the 22nd February 2025.
“We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats,” Adeleke said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for not supporting plans to cause chaos in Osun, promising that he would uphold the rule of law and the constitution.
“I should not end this address without acknowledging the contributions of Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am most grateful to Mr President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos. I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process,” Adeleke said.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urged the chairmen and councillors to remember the promises made during their campaign and make sure that dividends of democracy are delivered to the people at the grassroot.
“Nobody should resort to self help even if there is a court judgment. They should not think because they have Federal might. This is a Federal arrangement,” Makinde said.
Osun council election triumph of democracy – PDP
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the Osun State government for the conduct of its local government election over the weekend – on Saturday, February 22 – describing it as the triumph of democracy.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Sunday – yesterday, February 22 – said the opposition party’s victory at the council polls reflected its acceptance by the people of Osun State.
“The success and outcome of the free, fair, transparent, peaceful and credible local government election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) is a resounding triumph of democracy, the rule of law, constitutional principle of true federalism and the will of the people of Osun State over the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) anti-democratic forces that sought to illegally and forcefully take control of their State,” the statement read, in part.
“Our Party salutes the people of Osun State for the courage in asserting their sovereignty and constitutional right by coming out enmasse to vote in the election despite the vicious attempts by the APC to intimidate them and subvert the democratic process.
“The PDP further asserts that its sweeping victory across the 30 local government areas in the State in spite of the machinations of the APC is a further demonstration of PDP’s political supremacy in Osun State, the South West geo-political zone and across the nation.
“Moreover, the PDP’s overwhelming victory in the election comes as the people’s response to the outstanding achievements of Governor Adeleke in his massive delivery of life-enhancing infrastructural, citizen empowerment and human capital projects in all critical sectors including power, healthcare, education, road construction, water resources, agriculture and food production, among others, in line with the manifesto and policy thrust of the PDP.
“The PDP congratulates and charges the newly elected Osun State Local Government Chairmen and Councillors to be guided by Governor Adeleke’s vision so that the people at the grassroots will continue to enjoy the dividends of his people-first policy direction in governance.”
Stay away from council Secretariat, Adeleke tells newly elected chairmen, councillors.
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