OSUN State Governor Ademola Adeleke is pressing ahead with plans to conduct the local government election slated for Saturday, February 22, despite Federal Government’s directive that the exercise be suspended.
Governor Adeleke said democracy is governed by the rule of law in response to the directive by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. The election is going to hold, and the outcome will fast-track development at the local level,” Adeleke said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rashee, Friday.
“I welcome you all to Osun State. Our people are prepared for elections tomorrow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councilors.
“OSIEC has also done a marvelous preparatory job, according to reports at my disposal. Several political parties are participating, and I believe there will be a level playing ground for all to test their popularity with the masses…democracy is governed by the rule of law and that nobody can assume the authority of the courts.”
The Federal Government had warned that conducting a new local government poll would be invalid and unconstitutional.
This, according to the attorney-general of the federation (Fagbemi), is because the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, recently ruled that the tenure of the ‘sacked’ council chairpersons of the local government area councils was still running.
He said the judgment, delivered on February 10, 2025, in Appeal No. CA/AK/272/2022, nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment in Osogbo, given on November 25, 2022, in favour of the state government.
Fagbemi explained that the controversy surrounding the local government elections in Osun State began during the tenure of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. He said elections were held in all local governments in the state, and the winners were sworn in.
He recalled that just before Adeleke’s swearing-in, the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the poll that brought the chairpersons into office.
He added that in response, Adeleke issued an executive order to remove the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees shortly after assuming office.
