The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 30 local government areas (LGAs) of Osun State in the recently concluded local government elections.
The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, announced the results on Saturday at a press briefing, despite opposition from the police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, who had earlier called for the suspension of the elections.
The commission insisted on proceeding with the polls, citing a ruling by the Osun State High Court in Ilesa, which directed the electoral body to conduct elections for the vacant positions.
Election Amidst Security Concerns
The elections commenced in various parts of the state as early as 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with Governor Ademola Adeleke casting his vote in Ede North LGA.
Speaking after voting, the governor described the exercise as peaceful. “The process has been very peaceful. I broadcasted 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,” he said.
However, the polls were conducted under tense circumstances, as the OSSIEC chairman accused the police of sealing the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo and arresting some personnel. Abioye stated that the commission had to relocate to an undisclosed location to carry out its duties.
The police had earlier warned against the elections, citing credible intelligence of potential violence. Their stance aligned with that of the Attorney General of the Federation, who noted that the Court of Appeal in Akure had nullified a previous Federal High Court ruling that removed All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen.
According to the AGF, the appellate court’s verdict meant that the sacked APC chairmen had been restored, raising legal concerns over the legitimacy of the local government elections conducted by OSSIEC.
Violence and Political Clashes
The elections took place against the backdrop of political violence between PDP and APC supporters. Since Monday, at least six people have been confirmed dead following clashes over control of the local government councils.
Before the elections, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns about an alleged plot by APC members, backed by security agencies, to take over council secretariats. He had also urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, a former Osun State governor, over what he described as an impending clash.
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