Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, swore in newly elected local government chairmen despite warnings from the federal government and security agencies. The chairmen, in turn, inaugurated their councillors across their respective councils.
The swearing-in took place amid legal and political controversies, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum supporting the election as a demonstration of democracy. Addressing the new chairmen and their supporters, Adeleke defended the election process, stating that it complied with legal and constitutional provisions. He emphasized that the state electoral body had issued due notice a year prior and adhered to all necessary rules and procedures.
Acknowledging the legal disputes surrounding the polls, Adeleke insisted that the process was lawful and urged the newly elected officials to focus on governance. He charged them with delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots level, urging them to align their plans with the PDP’s manifesto. He also expressed gratitude to Osun residents for their support and reassured them of his administration’s commitment to their welfare. Additionally, he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for resisting attempts to destabilize the state.
To avoid clashes with current officeholders backed by the police, Adeleke instructed the newly elected chairmen and councillors to stay away from local government secretariats for now. He cited an Osun State High Court ruling that affirmed vacancies in the chairmanship and councillorship positions before the February 22 election and stated that the judiciary would ensure the peaceful removal of those occupying the offices.
In solidarity, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde warned the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) against plunging Osun into a political crisis. Speaking alongside PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Makinde stressed that legal disputes should be resolved through the judiciary rather than self-help. He called on the APC to allow governance to thrive in Osun and reiterated the PDP governors’ commitment to good governance.
However, the election faced criticism from public policy expert Mallam Sulayman Nafiu, who described it as a “shameless mockery of democracy” and an “affront to the rule of law.” He condemned the exercise for irregularities such as unauthorized polling locations and a disregard for democratic principles. Similarly, a Coalition of Election Observers Group raised concerns over the role of the Nigerian Police before and during the elections.
As legal and political tensions persist, attention remains on the judiciary to determine the fate of Osun’s newly sworn-in local government officials.
