Local Government Election: Trouble Brews In Osun as State Shuns Police, FG

Bigger trouble may be brewing in Osun State after the state government today went ahead with planned local government election despite warnings from the Federal Government and the police.

By about 8am, Governor Ademola Adeleke had cast his vote at Unit 9, Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Ede North Local Government Area, buoying up the citizens’ confidence.

He had been accompanied to the polling by supporters and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Adeleke commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for the peaceful process in the conduct of the elections, NAN had reported.

Advising residents to go out and cast their votes, he urged political stakeholders and electorate to shun violence during and after the elections.

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“I want to urge everyone to come out and cast their votes. The election will be peaceful”, the governor assured.

Voting in progress in the Osun election

That is however a contrary position from the Federal Government’s which has directed that the Local Government Election be halted.

The federal government is opposed to the sack of local government chairmen in the state by the government, and has asked Governor Adeleke to reverse it.

According to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the order which the governor relied on to sack the local government chairmen elected under the administration of Oyetola had been nullified by the court.

But for the police however, the reason why the election cannot go on, is different.

“The Force has assessed the current security landscape and determined that proceeding with the elections under these volatile conditions could escalate into widespread unrest, endangering lives and property.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, is fully prepared to take decisive action to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had said in a statement that it was conscious of both what the law says and a likelihood of the breakdown of law and order should the Local Government Election take place.

“However, to avert unnecessary confrontation and safeguard the democratic process, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders that the elections be stood down.”

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“Beyond the security concerns, it is also imperative to consider the legal clarification by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on the extant judicial pronouncements concerning Local Government administration in Osun State with regards to the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on the 10th of February 2025 which stands to have nullified the Federal High Court’s previous decision and reinforces the position that the elections, as presently contemplated, lack a firm legal foundation.

“In light of the combination of heightened security threats and the existing legal complexities, the Nigeria Police Force advises the Osun State Government to reconsider and suspend the planned elections immediately.

“The NPF reiterates its unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that Nigeria’s democratic processes are upheld in accordance with the law,” Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, had said in a statement.