OSUN: Tension as Adeleke swears in newly elected LG chairmen

Tension is brewing in Osun State over the resolve by the newly elected chairmen and councillors under the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party to assume local government offices in the state today (Monday).

Recall that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission conducted elections into councils in the state at the weekend.

All the 30 local government and Modakeke Area Office seats were won by the PDP candidates. The All Progressives Congress refused to participate in the poll.

On Sunday, OSSIEC issued certificates of return to the elected council officials and swore them in.

Findings by The Point revealed that residents are in panic over the party that would control governance at the third tier of government.

Already, chairmen and councillors elected under the APC platform said they had taken over local government secretariats in the state.

The Point observed that the number of security operatives manning the gates of local government secretariats in the state has been doubled.

A visit to Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government Offices in Osogbo on Sunday revealed that armed policemen were seen stationed at the entrance while some roads that had been blocked during the Saturday polls were still barricaded.

However, some of the newly elected officials under the platform of the PDP said they might not be assuming offices on Monday while others insisted on doing that.

The APC said, “The authentic Court of Appeal-reinstated local government council chairmen and councillors” would resume office on Monday.

A statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said, “We want to make it abundantly clear that it is imperative for the elected APC local government chairmen and councillors not to cease from resuming at their various local governments council areas in order to continue to serve the deprived people at the grassroots level of government.

“The APC is a party founded on the rules of law which is the reason the Court of Appeal judgement given at the Akure Division, Akure, Ondo State, on the 10th of February, 2025, is the basic instrument of your reinstatement.

“We are not unaware of the fact that some disgruntled elements who are emboldened by the lawless government of the day in Osun State are planning to invade the local government council areas across the state.

“We would like to enjoin the state Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the DSS and the State Comptroller of the Civil Defence to be on watch out with a view to keeping peace in all the local government council areas in the state.

“It is also important to appeal to the parents and guardians across the state to warn their children and wards to desist from being recruited as political thugs by disgruntled and failed politicians who are hell-bent in disturbing the peace of the state.

“We are reinstating our statement again that there are no vacancies for elected offices at the local government council level in all the local government council areas in Osun State.”

“A word is enough for the wise while those who are destined to get lost would not hearken to the whistling of a hunter like that of a proverbial dog,” Olabisi warned.

However, it was gathered that the elected chairmen and councillors under the PDP wouldn’t want to go against the directive of Governor Adeleke.

APC accuses Adeleke of defying court order, calls LG poll illegal

Also, the All Progressives Congress has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of violating his oath of office and the rule of law following the conduct of a local government election on Saturday.

The APC noted the Local Government election shouldn’t have been held despite a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal reinstating previously sacked officials.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Adeleke’s actions as a “wanton disregard for the rule of law” and a violation of the Court of Appeal’s February 10, 2025, ruling.

The statement emphasised that the court’s decision effectively reinstated the Local Government officials who were removed through an executive order issued by Governor Adeleke in 2022.

“To be clear, in its judgment, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the judgment of the Federal High Court and held that the suit was incompetent and was struck out accordingly.

“In effect, the Court of Appeal nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court and reinstated the sacked local government officials until the expiration of their term of office in October 2025. That is the valid, subsisting, and binding legal position on the matter,” Morka stated.

The APC also criticised Governor Adeleke’s appointment of “caretaker committees” following the sack of the local government officials in 2022, describing the move as illegal and a direct violation of Section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils.

The party noted that despite the Federal High Court’s adverse decision in 2022, it chose to pursue legal redress rather than resorting to violence or self-help.

It questioned Governor Adeleke’s reluctance to comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, highlighting the governor’s responsibility to uphold constitutional principles.

“Why is it so difficult for Governor Adeleke, who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, to abide by a valid order of the Court of Appeal reinstating the sacked local government officials?

“Why is the Governor and his PDP vehement on taking matters into their own hands in disregard of a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal?

“Why is Governor Adeleke so desperate and determined to incite anarchy in Osun state with impunity?” the statement queried.

The APC dismissed Saturday’s local government election as “nothing but a disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional, and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, and of no effect whatsoever.”

The party further accused the governor of wasting public funds and escalating tensions in an already volatile state.

Stating that Adeleke was under a constitutional duty to respect the rule of law, the APC urged him to follow due process by appealing to the Supreme Court if dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s decision.

“The sensible and democratic remedy available to Adeleke is to exercise his government’s right to appeal to the Supreme Court in the matter,” Morka asserted.

The statement further urged local government workers in Osun State to continue their duties under the judicially reinstated chairmen and councillors while calling on security agencies to maintain order amid the tensions arising from the election.

Don’t turn Osun into ‘Wild Wild West’, Makinde warns APC

Meanwhile, the PDP Governors’ Forum has cautioned the APC against plunging Osun State into chaos, urging adherence to the rule of law and discouraging any attempt to resort to self-help.

Speaking on behalf of the forum in Osogbo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, emphasised the need for a lawful resolution of any grievances related to the local government election.

According to a statement by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, the two governors attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected local government chairmen in a show of solidarity with Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The forum reminded those instigating unrest in Osun to reflect on history and learn from it, warning against actions that could destabilise the state over a matter that could be resolved legally.

Urging the APC to desist from interference, Governor Makinde advised aggrieved parties to seek legal redress instead of taking the law into their own hands.

According to the Oyo State governor, the PDP and its governors remain committed to delivering democratic dividends to the people, adding, “My brother is delivering on his promises to the people of Osun State.”

“If anybody has a judgment, there is a procedure for enforcement of court decisions. It is illegal to resort to self-help,” Makinde stated.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke officially conducted the swearing-in of the new local government chairmen, who in turn inaugurated their councillors in a celebratory event.

Addressing the gathering, which included Governors Mohammed and Makinde, Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

“We are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution,” Adeleke declared.

Reflecting on the journey leading to the election, the governor emphasized that the state electoral body followed due legal processes.

“We are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding up 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,” he said.

While acknowledging the legal disputes surrounding the election, Adeleke expressed confidence that his administration had acted in accordance with the law.

“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,” he stated.

The governor congratulated the newly elected officials, urging them to focus on effective governance and community development.

“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments.

“I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the People’s Democratic Party. As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude to the people of Osun for their unwavering support and commitment to democracy.

“Osun people demonstrated courage and passion to exercise their voting rights, and they did so by massively supporting our party despite all the constraints. We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword,” he assured.

He also commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for conducting the election professionally and thanked security agencies and state officials for ensuring a smooth process.

Additionally, Adeleke acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s role in maintaining stability in Osun.

“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,” Adeleke said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly elected officials, Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Sarafadeen Awotunde expressed appreciation to the electorate, the PDP, and the state government for ensuring a smooth electoral process.

“On behalf of my colleagues, we pledge our loyalty to the people and the constitution. We will not fail the electorate,” Awotunde vowed.

WHY AGF SHOULD NOT MEDDLE IN OSUN’S AFFAIRS – ANALYSTS

Analysts have, however, advised the Federal Government not to meddle in the affairs of Osun State, saying the various statements of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, on the local government crisis, does not speak well for democracy.

An APC chieftain from Ondo State, said the current administration should make things easier for their supporters by approaching delicate issues the right way.

The chieftain, a former Senator, told our correspondent that the AGF had no business issuing statements on the matter.

“Like an opposition figure said on television, he is portraying himself as Attorney-General of APC, not Attorney-General of the Federation. The case is in court. Let lawyers interpret it and let the courts decide up to Supreme Court.

“The fact that we are members of the same party does not mean we shouldn’t tell the truth when we see it. No one should be intimidated. The AGF should stop commenting on every political issue. It is annoying,” he said.

A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Ekele Abel, also agreed with this notion, saying the Federal Government should allow states breathe and allow the people to choose those they want to represent them.

“It is glaring that the APC-led central government wants Osun back in the APC fold. But they must be careful not to cause more chaos and blood shed.

“The two parties must follow the rule of law and let peace reign. As it is now, I see that the Osun State Government is just being bullied. Nothing in the Appeal Court judgment says the APC chairmen should he reinstated, at least, as of now,” he argued.