The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has presented certificates of return to chairmen and councillors elected in Saturday’s local government election, despite opposition from the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Egbetokun, who had advised against the poll.
A statement by OSSIEC’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, confirmed that the commission’s chairman, Hashim Abioye, handed over the certificates to the elected officials on Sunday in Osogbo. Following the election, Abioye declared 332 councillors and 30 local government chairmen—all from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—as winners.
The election was marred by security concerns, as a coalition of observer groups accused the Nigeria Police of attempting to disrupt the process through intimidation, arbitrary arrests of election officials, and an alleged effort to stop the election from taking place. Despite these challenges, the observers commended OSSIEC for swiftly distributing election materials before police intervention, ensuring the exercise proceeded in all local government areas.
At the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected officials on Sunday at the Osun State Government House, Oke-Fia, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde congratulated the new local government chairmen and councillors, urging them to fulfill their campaign promises to their constituents.
“This is an opportunity for you to deliver to the grassroots. It will be your stepping stone to higher positions, and the reward for hard work is more opportunities,” Makinde said.
However, the governor expressed concern over the violence that erupted on Monday, February 17, warning against any attempt to destabilize the state.
“We don’t want a repeat of the ‘Wild Wild West.’ They should stay away from this zone. We want to peacefully provide the dividends of democracy to the people,” he said, referring to the political unrest that plagued the Southwest in the 1960s.
Makinde cautioned against any attempts to use federal influence to interfere in Osun’s affairs, stating, “They should not resort to self-help even if there is a court judgment. This is a federal arrangement, and due process must be followed.”
Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke urged the newly elected officials to stay away from council secretariats to prevent clashes with individuals who have allegedly been occupying the local government offices with the support of the police.
“I urge you and your councillors to stay away from the council secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats,” Adeleke said.
He emphasized that an Osun State High Court had previously affirmed the vacancies in both the chairman and councillor positions before the February 22 election.
“We will, therefore, 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 added.
