Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has sworn in local government chairmen and councillors across the state.
The inauguration is currently underway, according to Banks Omishore, Adeleke’s special adviser on SDG and multilateral relations.
Notably, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bola Mohammed are present to show their support for Adeleke.
“Swearing in of the Local Government Chairmen and their counselors now on going. Governor Seyi Makinde @seyiamakinde and Governor Bala Mohammed @SenBalaMohammed of Bauchi are here on solidarity visit to Governor @AAdeleke_01,” he said on his X account.
In another X post, he said, “Gov Seyi Makinde urges newly elected local government chairmen in Osun to honor their commitments.
“He challenges opposition members, particularly the APC, to go to court instead of resorting to self-help, emphasizing that the era of using federal might to undermine democracy is over.”
The local government elections held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, have sparked significant controversy. The PDP was declared the winner of all chairmanship and councillorship positions by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).
The elections were described as peaceful and successful by OSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye, despite earlier controversies surrounding their conduct1.
Meanwhile, the African Action Congress (AAC) in Osun State has called for the immediate cancellation of the elections held, citing widespread irregularities and electoral malpractices.
According to the party in a statement issued on Sunday, the election was marred by the absence of election materials in most polling units, while in others, OSIEC officials arrived with pre-filled ballots and fabricated results.
Akinlade Semiu, Publicity Secretary of the AAC, who signed the statement stated, “We demand the immediate cancellation of this sham election due to the blatant disregard for democratic principles displayed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).”
The AAC alleged that sensitive materials were secretly moved to the country home of Governor Ademola Adeleke, where voting and result compilation took place.
The AAC emphasised its commitment to challenging the election results using all lawful means, condemning the actions of the PDP and OSIEC as a blatant disregard for democratic principles.
The party’s statement highlighted the alleged manipulation of the election outcome and the collusion between the PDP and OSIEC.
Despite the controversies, the PDP secured victory in all 30 local government areas of the state.
Recently, tensions escalated when supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to forcibly install their members into local government offices, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment as justification.
Background Of The Dispute
In October 2022, during the tenure of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, local government elections were conducted, resulting in the election of APC-affiliated officials.
However, these elections were subsequently nullified by a Federal High Court in Osogbo, leading to the removal of the elected officials. Governor Adeleke’s administration then appointed caretaker committees to oversee the local governments.
On February 10, 2025, the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal overturned the earlier Federal High Court judgment, effectively reinstating the previously sacked APC local government officials. This ruling led to confusion and disputes over the legitimate leadership of the local councils.
The APC interpreted the appellate court’s decision as a mandate for their officials to resume office, while the PDP-led state government contested this interpretation.
Forceful Takeover Attempts
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment, APC supporters, accompanied by their local leaders, attempted to take control of various local government secretariats across the state.
In Osogbo, a high-ranking state government official was reportedly involved in a confrontation with APC supporters over the control of the local government secretariat.
These forceful takeover attempts led to clashes, resulting in the tragic loss of at least six lives. The Osun State House of Assembly condemned these actions, describing them as a “forceful invasion” by the sacked chairmen and councillors.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Osun State High Court in Ilesa issued an order on February 21, 2025, directing the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to proceed with conducting elections to fill the vacant local government positions.
This order was in line with a suit filed by the PDP, aiming to address the vacancies created by the previous nullification of the 2022 elections.
Despite the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, advising against the conduct of new elections—citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment reinstating the APC officials—the state government proceeded with the polls
