Gov Adeleke casts vote in LG election, says exercise peaceful

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Amidst the political tension surrounding the Osun State local government election, the exercise began on Saturday morning, with Governor Ademola Adeleke participating early in the process.

The governor cast his vote at 8 a.m. at Unit 9, Ward 2, in Ede North Local Government Area (LGA).

Following his vote, Governor Adeleke commended the peaceful conduct of the election and urged residents to come out, exercise their voting rights, and return home peacefully.

“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.”

Channels Television reports that 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 hinged his call on the controversial Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, which allegedly reinstated the earlier sacked local government chairmen and councillors.

The Nigeria Police Force, on Friday, advised the Osun State government to consider postponing the local government election due to security concerns.

The Police cited credible intelligence suggesting a high risk of violence and significant security threats if the elections proceeded as planned.

In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police revealed that intelligence reports indicated that various groups, including political actors and other interested parties, were mobilizing to incite unrest, disrupt public peace, and undermine the democratic process.

Despite this, the Osun State government remained resolute in conducting the election, emphasizing its commitment to upholding a court order mandating the polls.

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, affirmed in a statement that the government is determined to adhere to the rule of law and ensure compliance with judicial directives.