Despite the Federal Government’s appeal, Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke refuses to cancel the local government election in the South-West state, insisting that the polls will be held on Saturday.
The Federal Government had requested that the governor halt the election.
However, the governor, in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, noted that despite an appeal from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to postpone the elections, the Osun people will elect their local government Chairmen on Saturday.
“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. An election is going to be held, 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,” the statement read, asking parties and other stakeholders to “abide by democratic norms.”
The governor said, “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.”
The Attorney General of the Federation urged Adeleke on Thursday to tell the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the poll, warning that it would be unlawful and a breach of the Constitution.
Fagbemi cited a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which overturned an earlier Federal High Court decision that declared prior local government elections invalid under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. The verdict effectively reinstated the fired council chairs, whose terms, according to the AGF, are valid until October 2025.
He warned that any such election would not only be invalid because the terms of office of the elected officials recently restored by the Court of Appeal’s decision will continue until October 2025, but it would also constitute an egregious violation of the Constitution, which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold.
