Adeleke swears in LG chairpersons, asks them to stay off secretariats ‘to avoid clash’

Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, on Sunday, swore in the newly elected chairpersons and councillors in the state. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the 30 LGAs and 332 wards in the controversial election held on Saturday.

Speaking during the ceremony, Adeleke expressed happiness that the process was held despite the initial setbacks.

He congratulated the newly elected chairpersons and councillors and urged them to deliver on the dividends of democracy.

The governor, however, directed the elected officials to stay away from the local government secretariats “to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats”.

“We 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,” Adeleke said.

“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.

“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.”

Adeleke further thanked the people of Osun for their support and for demonstrating courage during the polls.

“We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for “discharging its mandate professionally and with all sense of responsibilities”, and the security agencies for maintaining law and order during the process.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu “for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos”.

The event was attended by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, and Bala Muhammed, governor of Bauchi state and chairman of the PDP governors forum.