Gov Adeleke swears in newly elected LG Chairmen with warning

By KEMI KASUMU

Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has sworn in the newly elected Local Governments’ 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”.

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.

Also at the occasion, the Governor’s Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the All Progressive Congress (APC) not to turn Osun into the ‘wild wild west’, calling for rule of law and counseling against resorting to self-help.

Speaking on behalf of the forum at Osogbo was the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde in the presence of the PDP Governors Forum chairman, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi state.

The two Governors had attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected council chairmen in solidarity with Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Forum reminded all those fomenting trouble in Osun state to remember history and learn from it, warning that Osun should not be plunged into crisis over a matter that can be resolved by the judiciary.

While urging the APC to leave Osun state alone, Governor Makinde said anybody that has grouse should seek judicial redress instead of resorting to self-help.

According to the Oyo state governor, the PDP and its Governors are only interested in delivering dividends of democracy to our people, adding that “my brother is delivering on his promises to the people of Osun state.

“If anybody has a judgement, there is a procedure for enforcement of court decisions. It is illegal to resort to self help”, the Governor submitted.

Delivering a vote of thanks, the newly elected chairman of Ifelodun local government, Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde expressed gratitude to the electorate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the State government for making the electoral process a reality.

“On behalf of my colleagues, we pledge our loyalty to the people and the constitution. We will not fail the electorate”, the council boss assured.

In a separate statement the state Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), commended voters in the state for exercising their democratic rights in Saturday’s local election, declaring them as the hero of democracy.

The PDP in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, saluted electorates in the state for showing the whole world that they are on the side of democracy, noting that their courage and commitments to democratic tenets will not go unnoticed in history.

Hon. Bisi who expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the poll, showered praises on the Osun electorates for successfully navigating the needless provocation and harassment from compromised security agents, notably the Police, in an attempt to disrupt the elections.

“Before and on Saturday, the will of our people for democracy was greatly tested by antidemocratic elements. From bias opinions to unlawful advises, the rights of Osun people to elect those who administer their affairs at the grassroot came under grave threat,” Hon. Bisi noted.

“Everything was put into stopping the election, albeit, illegally. It was a challenging moment that was reminiscent of the dark era of the military, and to our greatest delight, the Osun people rose in asserting their rights to vote and be voted for. As a party, we are very proud of the people and honor them as the heroes of democracy.

“Osun electorates has demonstrated to the whole world that authoritarianism has no place in our land and as a party, we commend their courage. We thank them for not surrendering their democratic rights despite the unimaginable force and threats that the anti-democratic deployed against them.”

Hon. Bisi strongly condemned the resort to violence by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to stop the election, calling on security agents to go after Ademoroti Adeboye (aka Germani) for killing an innocent voter, Ajilore Ifeoluwa.

“We are greatly alarmed that the APC thugs wrought violence on innocent voters, leading to the death of a barber in Ilesa East, and injuries to many others across the state. What happened in Ilesa East LG is reprehensible and the assailants must not escape justice,” Hon. Bisi pointed out.

“Ajilore Ifeoluwa was just an innocent voter yet, he was shot to death by Ademoroti Adeboye (aka Germani), who is a known associate of former Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, just because he wanted to exercise his franchise. What is most alarming was that this incident happened right in the presence of Policemen yet no effort was made to arrest the assailant who walked away freely.

“This is totally unacceptable and we are calling on the Police to redeem itself by going after the killer and bring him to justice. Anything outside this will mean that the Police is complicit in the open murder of PDP members and innocent voters by APC thugs and we cannot imagine the negative impact or the impression such development will have on the international community.”

Also, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi, has congratulated the newly elected Local Government Council Chairmen and Councillors in Osun State. He praised their landslide victories, attributing their success to the outstanding leadership and governance of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The lawmaker expressed deep gratitude to Governor Adeleke for facilitating a smooth, peaceful, and efficient electoral process amidst provocations. He emphasized that the transparent and well-conducted elections reflected the trust and support the Governor has garnered from the electorate across the state. He noted that the positive outcome of the local government election is a testament to the Governor’s successful governance and the people’s confidence in the PDP administration.

Senator Oyewumi urged the newly elected leaders to demonstrate true leadership by prioritizing the needs of their people and communities and working diligently to create a lasting impact and be good ambassadors of the party. He highlighted that their electoral victory signifies the trust and expectations placed on them, both by the people they represent and the Governor who supports their leadership.

Senator Oyewumi called on them to continue working towards the development of their respective local governments and to uphold the values of service, accountability, and dedication as they embark on their new responsibilities. He concluded by wishing the winners success in their new roles, encouraging them to work collectively towards fostering growth and ensuring the continued prosperity of their communities under the PDP leadership.

Senator Oyewumi also expressed his profound gratitude to the electorate in Osun State for their unwavering support and confidence in the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Your votes are testaments to your belief in our vision for a prosperous and united Osun State. We assure you that our commitment to meeting your aspirations remains resolute. Together, we can achieve remarkable progress and development for our communities, ensuring that the benefits of governance are felt by all,” he noted.