BREAKING: Osun Local Council Elections Will Take Place on Saturday as Scheduled – Governor Adeleke
Osun State’s local government elections will take place on Saturday as planned, according to Governor Ademola Adeleke, despite tense relations between the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokeswoman, released a statement on Friday outlining the governor’s stance.
The announcement comes after the Court of Appeal’s recent decision to reinstate local government officials with APC support who had been fired by the state government. Conflicts between the two main parties over control of the local councils were exacerbated by the court’s ruling.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), had warned Governor Adeleke earlier Thursday not to hold the poll. He said that because the Court of Appeal reinstated the fired local government officials, their terms remained in effect until October 2025. Fagbemi asserts that it would be unconstitutional to hold another election.
He stated, “His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, despite the Court of Appeal’s ruling mentioned above, which effectively means that the elected officials’ terms of office have regained currency and will naturally run out in October, 2025.” In addition to being void because the elected officials’ terms of office, which were recently restored by the Court of Appeal’s ruling, will remain in effect until October 2025, any such election would also constitute a flagrant violation of the Constitution, which Governor Adeleke has vowed to protect. Once more, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which upheld and strengthened local government autonomy, reinforces Governor Adeleke’s duty to facilitate a peaceful, orderly transition between elected officials within the three-year period specified by law.
Therefore, it is crucial that Governor Adeleke advise the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to put off holding any local government elections at this time.
Nonetheless, Governor Adeleke assured the public that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) was ready for the elections while meeting with a group of civil society organizations in Osogbo.
“Welcome to Osun State, everyone. Our citizens are ready for tomorrow’s elections. They long to be able to select their own council members and chairs.
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According to the reports I have access to, OSIEC has likewise performed an excellent preliminary job. According to the statement, the Governor told the visiting activists, “I think there will be a level playing field for all to test their popularity with the masses.” A number of political parties are taking part.
“I advise everyone, including national and local stakeholders, to follow democratic standards. My people and I support the rule of law above illega self-help.
“A fast-tracked development at the municipal level will be the result of the election. I implore our people to maintain their peace. Governor Adeleke went on to say, “Osun is a truly peaceful state.”
