Osun LG poll: Adeleke tasks politicians on rule of law, peaceful exercise

Against the backdrop of Saturday’s local government poll in Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke has tasked politicians to abide by the rule of law even as he urged voters to peacefully exercise their rights during the election process.

In a statewide broadcast on Thursday, the governor declared that peace had returned to the state after recent face-off which was a result of the forceful takeover of local government secretariats by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and Councilors, declaring that “Osun State is back to normalcy as one of the most peaceful states in the federation.”

Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said this in a statement on Thursday in Osogbo.

The governor condoled the families of those who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries during “the take-over of the local government secretariats by the court-sacked APC chairmen and councilors” saying, “the unfortunate incident reminds us that abiding by the rule of law remains the best path for a peaceful Osun State.”

“I particularly appreciate and commend our people for complying with my directives to stay away from local government secretariats. 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.

“I regret to report to the good people of Osun State that the court-sacked APC chairmen and councilors went back yesterday, Wednesday, 19th February 2025, to forcefully break into the various local government secretariats.

“I urged and directed everyone in Osun State to stay away from the Local Government Secretariats to avoid any confrontation with them. The rule of law, through the judiciary, will eventually resolve the matter peacefully. Please, let us be patient.

“Those who claim to have a court judgment that ordered their reinstatement should approach the court for the enforcement of the said order of court instead of resorting to self-help, which is illegal. The Nigerian judiciary has its enforcement procedure, which everyone must follow. If you have a genuine court order, follow the court enforcement protocols.

“As a government, we have read through the said judgment. We have submitted it to the best of legal minds for interpretation. There is nowhere a reinstatement order was issued. No matter the manner of misinterpretation, that judgment contains no consequential order nor any reinstatement directive.

“Most importantly, the judgment in the APP suit, which sacked the APC chairmen and councillors, 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.

“We have confidence in the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu, who we know will always insist on the rule of law.”