Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called on politicians to uphold the rule of law and urged voters to exercise their rights peacefully during the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22.
In a statewide broadcast from Osogbo, Governor Adeleke reassured residents that peace has been restored following recent disturbances triggered by the forceful takeover of local government secretariats by court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councilors. He declared that “Osun State is back to normalcy as one of the most peaceful states in the federation.”
The governor extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and those injured during the crisis, emphasizing that adherence to the rule of law is essential for maintaining peace in the state.
“I particularly appreciate and commend our people for complying with my directives to stay away from local government secretariats,” Adeleke stated. “The compliance saved our state from further confrontations and casualties. It has returned the state of the living spring to its peaceful and loving nature.”
Governor Adeleke lamented that, despite previous warnings, the court-sacked APC officials attempted another forceful takeover of secretariats on Wednesday, February 19. He urged Osun residents to remain patient and allow the judiciary to resolve the matter legally.
“Those who claim to have a court judgment ordering their reinstatement should approach the court for enforcement instead of resorting to self-help, which is illegal,” he asserted. “The Nigerian judiciary has its enforcement procedure, which everyone must follow.”
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He further clarified that the state government had thoroughly examined the court judgment being referenced and found no consequential order for reinstatement. “Most importantly, the judgment in the APP suit, which sacked the APC chairmen and councilors, is still subsisting and alive. The appeal by APC against this judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal. The APC appeal was dismissed.”
Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to democratic principles. He called on all stakeholders to maintain peace, emphasizing the need for stability to sustain the state’s development.
“I implore our people to continue to sustain the peace that has returned to our dear state,” he said. “We need peaceful coexistence to expand our good governance delivery of the past two years. Osun State remains truly peaceful.”
He concluded by encouraging all registered voters to participate in Saturday’s local government elections and to conduct themselves peacefully at all times.
