Residents are worried about the future as the political backstabbing between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapters in Osun State over local government management continues.
According to official reports from the Osun State Police Command, trouble began on Monday, February 17, 2025, when council officials affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to return to work at local government secretariats around the state, resulting in the deaths of six people.
In the meanwhile, new local government elections in the state were scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, or OSSIEC, which is led by Barrister Hashim Abioye.
The state administration was recommended by the Nigeria Police not to hold the local government election, according to a statement released by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.
In reference to the ruling of the Appeal Court in Akure, which continued to be a point of disagreement among the Osun APC, PDP, OSSIEC, and the state government, the police highlighted security reports and legal ramifications.
The state chapter of the APC formally declared its intention to withdraw from the elections before the Nigeria Police issued their warning.
An Osun State High Court in Ilesa gave OSSIEC permission to hold the local government elections one day before to the election.
The Osun PDP was declared the winner of all 30 local government chairperson posts and all 332 wards in the state by OSSIEC after the voting process concluded on Saturday. The successful chairmen and their deputies were subsequently given Certificates of Return on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
The newly elected chairman and their deputies were sworn in by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that same day.
In order to avoid any conflicts, Governor Adeleke further cautioned the recently sworn-in officials to avoid the local government secretariats.
However, citizens of Osun had differing opinions.
While some expressed gratitude for the way the elections were conducted, others voiced worries about suspected malfeasance and logistical difficulties.
An Osogbo trader named Kemi Adeyemi said he was happy with the procedure.
“I had no trouble casting my ballot. “Even without a security presence, the officials were well-organized,” she remarked.
However, Ilesa instructor Adebayo Oladimeji expressed annoyance at the delays.
Before voting materials reached our polling station, we had to wait for hours. Many grew weary and departed. “This type of inefficiency damages the election’s credibility,” he said.
The state government’s role in the election has been observed by political experts, with some contending that Governor Adeleke’s influence may have tipped the scales in favor of the PDP.
“Suspicions are always possible when the ruling party controls the election body. Sola Akintunde, a political science student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, stated that the state administration needs to put in more effort to increase public confidence in the electoral process.
Some locals have advocated for progress and unity in spite of the disputes.
“Now, it is important that people in power concentrate on development. Funke Oladipo, an Ede civil worker, stated, “We need leaders who will address infrastructure, education, and unemployment.”
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According to reports, OSSIEC Chairman Abioye expressed concern during the election that Nigeria Police officers had closed down the commission’s Osogbo office.
In a statement later on Saturday, Abioye also claimed that the harassment and detention of OSSIEC officials by police officers were the reason why polling materials failed to reach specific designated polling stations, hence preventing OSSIEC from conducting elections in some polling units.
However, he promised that polls will start in the impacted polling places and that other logistical measures had been arranged.
