Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke casts vote as Osun Local Government election holds amid tensions

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has participated in the local government election currently underway across the state, despite ongoing political and legal disputes surrounding the exercise.

The election has been marred by a standoff between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). 

The controversy escalated after a recent Court of Appeal ruling overturned the dismissal of local government chairmen and councillors, who had been removed by a Federal High Court decision in November 2022.

The issue dates back to the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, during which the affected officials were elected. 

In 2022, a Federal High Court in Osogbo, presided over by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, invalidated their election. However, the Court of Appeal in Akure overturned that ruling on February 10, 2025, reinstating the officials. 

This decision led to violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters, resulting in multiple fatalities earlier in the week.

Governor Adeleke’s insistence on conducting the election despite the court ruling drew criticism from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. 

In a statement on Thursday, the AGF warned that the election was unconstitutional, arguing that the reinstated chairmen and councillors still had a valid tenure until October 2025. 

He maintained that any election conducted before that time would be “null and void” and would violate the Nigerian Constitution.

Despite the AGF’s position, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa ruled on Friday that the election should proceed as planned. Justice A. Aderigbigbe, who presided over the case, declared that leadership positions in the state’s 30 local government areas remained vacant, as previously affirmed by the Federal High Court. 

The court directed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to go ahead with the election and instructed security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), to provide security.

However, on Friday, the police withdrew from the election, citing legal concerns and security risks.

After casting his vote in Ede, Governor Adeleke expressed confidence in the process and urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise.

The exercise commenced in some local governments as early as 8am, including Ede North Local Government Area where Governor Ademola Adeleke voted.

The governor after casting his vote, described the exercise as peaceful, calling on the people of the state to come out and vote peacefully. Voters were seen casting their votes in some of the polling units, as the exercise moved on seamlessly.

 

The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi had called for the suspension of the election following the controversial Court of Appeal judgement which allegedly reinstated the earlier sacked local government chairmen and councillors, the police cited security threat.According to the justice minister, the Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, nullified the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, delivered on November 25, 2022. The AGF said the verdict of the appellate court implied that the All Progressives Congress (APC) local council chairmen formerly sacked by the lower court have been restored.

 

On its part, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

 

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

 

However, the Osun State government insisted on going on with the election, saying that it did not want to disobey a court order which directed that the elections be held.