Adeleke insists Osun LG election will hold on Saturday

Abdullateef Fowewe

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has insisted that the Local Government election scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 22, will be held unfailingly under the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had on Thursday notified the governor not to proceed with the election.

Fagbemi called on Adeleke to honour the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Akure, which reinstated the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen and councillors who were dismissed by the Federal High Court in Osogbo in 2022.

However, Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Friday, insisted that Osun voters are prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday.

The spokesman said, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has affirmed that the local government election scheduled for tomorrow is holding unfailingly under the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

“The Governor made the assertion this morning while receiving a delegation of civil society coalition who are in the state to monitor the local government elections.

“According to the governor, Osun voters are prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday even as he expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by the electoral body.”

The Governor told the visiting activists, “I welcome you all to Osun State. Our people are prepared for elections tomorrow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors.

“OSIEC has also done a marvellous 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.”

However, about the controversy over the election, the Governor asserted that democracy is governed by the rule of law and that nobody can assume the authority of the courts.

“My advice to all parties including local and national stakeholders is to abide by democratic norms. As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not alleged self-help.

“Election is going to hold and the outcome will be a fast-tracked development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state,” Adeleke remarked.