Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has sworn in newly elected local government chairmen but instructed them to stay away from their secretariats, citing a pending legal process to remove those occupying the offices.
At the inauguration ceremony on Sunday, February 23, 2025, Adeleke said an Osun State High Court had declared the chairmanship and councillorship positions vacant before the February 22 elections. However, he accused security agencies of aiding members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in forcefully occupying the secretariats.
“We will rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats. Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he told the newly sworn-in officials.
The governor, who described the election as free and fair, said OSIEC followed due process in organizing it despite legal challenges. He commended Osun residents for their massive support and assured them of his administration’s commitment to good governance.
Adeleke also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for resisting alleged attempts to plunge the state into crisis, thanking him for upholding democratic principles.
The swearing-in marks the beginning of a new phase in Osun’s local government administration, even as legal battles over the control of council offices continue.
