Osun governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has sworn in newly-elected council chairmen in the state, warning them and their councilors to stay away from the council secretariats “to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats”. Nigerian Tribune reports.
The governor stated this during the inauguration ceremony for the elected chairmen.
“I urge you and your councilors to please stay away from the council secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats.
“An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the Chairmen and Councilors positions in all of Osun State Local Governments before your election on the 22nd February 2025. We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.”
“Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law. I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councilors. You have the mandate to deliver good governance in your respective local governments.
“I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of dividends of democracy.
“To the good people of Osun state, I use this occasion to express my gratitude for your steadfast support for our administration. Osun people demonstrated courage and passion to exercise their voting rights and they did so by massively supporting our party despite all the constraints. We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword.”
“Our thanks also go to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for discharging its mandate professionally and with all sense of responsibility. We also commend security agencies and state officials who made the election a reality.
“Less I forget, you are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding up a process that started a year or so ago. The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors.
“We are equally aware of the legal controversies that dogged the holding of the election. It is however a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of rule of law and the constitution”.
“I should not end this address without acknowledging the contributions of Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am most grateful to Mr President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos.
“I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process,” the Governor noted.
