LG election holds in Osun despite suspension calls by AGF, Police
The Osun State local government election proceeded as planned on Saturday, despite earlier controversies and calls for suspension.
The exercise began in some local government areas as early as 8 a.m., including Ede North Local Government Area, where Governor Ademola Adeleke cast his vote.
The governor described the process as peaceful and encouraged residents to come out and vote calmly. Voters were seen participating across several polling units as the election progressed smoothly.
AGF and Police Advocate Suspension
Calls for the suspension of the election came from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and the Nigeria Police Force, citing legal and security concerns.
The AGF pointed to a contentious Court of Appeal ruling from February 10, 2025, which allegedly reinstated previously sacked local government chairmen and councillors. The judgment from the Akure division of the Court of Appeal nullified an earlier Federal High Court ruling from November 25, 2022, implying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) officials had been restored to office.
The police, on their part, highlighted potential security risks. In a statement by Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force revealed credible intelligence indicating a high likelihood of unrest, disruption of public peace, and threats to democratic order if the elections proceeded. Reports from joint intelligence suggested that various groups, including political actors, were mobilizing to incite violence.
Despite these concerns, the election was conducted without reported disruptions.
‘Election must go on’
However, the Osun State government insisted on going on with the election, saying that it does not want to disobey a court order which directed that the elections be held.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in a statement said the government will not go against the rule of law.
“Instead of the police to obey court order, the service is regrettably pursuing its partisan line by actively working against rule of law as espoused by today’s court ruling.
“If the police choses to disobey court orders, the Osun state government will not go against rule of law, hence the decision of the state government to support the state electoral commission to conduct a credible free and fair elections tomorrow.
“We thank the police for their advice. We respectfully turned down the request while we urge Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday,” the statement read in part.
An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa, Presided over by Justice A.A Aderibigbe had earlier ordered the Osun State Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions of local government chairmen and councilors across the 30 local governments in the state.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the APC has backed out of the election.
Our reporter who went around the state capital, Oshogbo on Saturday morning, observed that city was calm, commercial activities were absent and a few residents were out to get some things done before the commencement of the election. Some police officers were seen on the roads.