Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has instructed the newly elected chairmen and councillors from the Saturday local government election not to begin their duties at their respective councils just yet.
The governor explained that this precaution was to avoid any potential conflict with “those whom the police had assisted in forcefully occupying the local government secretariats.”
Speaking on Sunday in Osogbo during the swearing-in ceremony of the chairmen, which was attended by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other officials and associates, Adeleke urged the new officials to fulfill the mandate entrusted to them.
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He also encouraged them to create action plans aligned with the PDP manifesto, emphasizing that his administration is committed to transforming the state.
The governor called on them to be agents of change, community developers, and to ensure the delivery of democratic benefits, while also recognizing the role of President Bola Tinubu, who he said rejected attempts by some forces to destabilize Osun.
“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 the rule of law and the Constitution.
“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on 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.
“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.
“Finally, 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 Chairman 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,” Adeleke said.
Earlier, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urged the newly elected chairmen to remember the promises they made during their campaigns. He emphasized that their election has given them the chance to bring the benefits of democracy to the people at the grassroots level.
Makinde further said, “This will be your stepping stones to higher positions and the reward for hard work and for delivering is more work.”
Speaking on the recent mayhem that rocked the state, Makinde said, “We don’t want wild wild west again. They should stay away from this zone. We want to peacefully provide the dividend of democracy to the people.
“They should not resort to self-help even if there is a court judgment. They should not think because they have Federal might. This is a Federal arrangement. I will stop here.”
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