Osun LG Crisis: Adeleke Insists On Polls, Police Call For Suspension
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Friday, disregarded the warning of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on the need not to hold the local government election scheduled for today, insisting that the election must hold.
Fagbemi had advised that the Appeal Court judgement had showed that there is no vacancy in the local government council areas of the state.
But Governor Adeleke, yesterday, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed said: “Voters are prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday. Our people are prepared for elections today. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors. OSIEC has also done 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.”
Court orders OSIEC to conduct poll
Meanwhile, the Osun State Electoral Commission, OSIEC, was ordered to go ahead with the election by a State High Court in a motion on notice brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the commission. Justice Adeyinka Aderigbigbe also tasked security agencies to provide adequate security for the poll across the 30 council areas during the exercise.
The court found as a fact, that the election conducted by the 1st Defendant on 15th October, 2022, having been invalidated, nullified and voided, and the purported elected officials produced by the purported election having been sacked by the Federal High Court in FHC/CS/OS/103/2022; ACTION PEOPLES PARTY (APP) VS. INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) & Ors, delivered on the 30th November, 2022 and as confirmed by the decision of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/AK/226M/2024; ALLIED PEOPLE MOVE-MENT (APM) & Ors VS. ACTION PEOLES PARTY (APP) & ORS delivered on the 13th January, 2025, vacancy actually exists in the political administration of local councils in the State, thereby, consequently upholding the prayers of the PDP in the suit.
The court further directed and compelled all the security agencies, comprising of the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, the department of State Security Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Amotekun Corps, the Vigilante group etc in the state to provide adequate security, during and after the election.
In another development, the Nigerian Police Force has strongly advised the Osun State Government to suspend the planned LG elections forthwith in the interest of public safety and national stability.“The Police said the call for suspension followed and imminent threat to security noting there is credible intelligence indicating a high likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned Local Government elections proceed in Osun State. “The statement signed by Force Public Relations officer said, ‘credible intelligence indicating a high likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned Local Government elections proceed in Osun State.
These reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering reveal that various groups, including political elements and other interest parties, are mobilizing to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace, and undermine the democratic order.
Given this imminent threat to security, the NPF strongly advises the Osun State Government to suspend the planned elections forthwith in the interest of public safety and national stability.
The Force has assessed the current security landscape and determined that proceeding with the elections under these volatile conditions could escalate into widespread unrest, endangering lives and property.
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, is fully prepared to take decisive action to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
”However, to avert unnecessary confrontation and safeguard the democratic process, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders that the elections be stood down.
Fagbemi goofed, polls must hold – APP
But the Action Peoples Party berated the AGF for taking sides in the local government council election, saying the party would fully participate in the poll on Saturday. The party, in a statement said:
“We want to reiterate that our great party, the Action Peoples Party will participate in Saturday’s election. Our party has been equipped to arrive at this decision by the reason of the Appeal Court dismissal of the APC suit at the appeal court on the 13th of January, 2025, challenging the nullification of the October 15 2022, election in Osun State.”
LP candidates demand postponement
Also, the forum of candidates of the Labour Party in the election have asked OSIEC to postpone the poll to allow resolution of the ongoing legal crisis confronting conduct of the election. The party chairman, Mr Adebayo Bello, who spoke with newsmen, cited insecurity and absence of electoral materials for their decision.
Bello said: “The electoral body has refused to make available to us essential materials needed for the election. We have been there since yesterday to get identification tags for our party agent and till after 4pm on Friday, we have not heard anything from them.”
Police prevent entry to OSIEC
When reporters visited OSIEC headquarters in Osogbo, policemen were stationed at the entrance and did not allow anyone, including journalists, in and out of the office. A security source confided in journalists that the place has been closed to any activity since Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has also announced restriction of vehicular movement between 5am and 5pm on Saturday to allow people to exercise their voting rights.
Matawalle tasks security agencies to maintain order
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle has expressed concern on the recent incidents in the local government councils in Osun State. The Minister, in a statement called upon security agencies to take proactive measures to maintain law and order in the state.
