Despite the political tension before the Osun State local government election, the exercise began on Saturday morning, with Governor Ademola Adeleke casting his ballot.
The governor hailed the exercise as calm, asking residents of the state to come out and vote, then return home peacefully.
Governor Adeleke voted as early as 8 a.m. on Saturday at Unit 9, Ward 2 of Ede North Local Government Area (LGA).
“The process has been very peaceful. I made a broadcast to my good people of Osun State that this election should be peaceful; there should be no violence because Osun State is a very peaceful state,” Governor Adeleke said.
“They should come out peacefully, vote and go back peacefully too. There should be no problem; we should not give them any chance to say there is violence here, there is violence there; I don’t want that because we are peacefully people in Osun State.”
According to reports the build-up to the election was surrounded by controversy, with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, asking Governor Adeleke on Thursday to put the local government election on hold.
The AGF based his decision on the disputed Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, which reportedly reinstated the previously fired local government chairmen and councillors.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force asked the state administration on Friday to consider delaying the election due to security concerns.
The police said they had obtained solid evidence indicating a high risk of unrest and severe security risks if the planned polls went ahead.
According to a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police’s Public Relations Officer, reports from joint intelligence gathering indicate that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are attempting to disrupt public peace and undermine democracy.
However, the Osun State government persisted in holding the election, claiming that it does not want to violate a court order directing that elections be held.
Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, said in a statement that the administration will not violate the rule of law.
