Osun State’s Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the newly elected local government chairmen to stay away from local government council secretariats in order to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Barrister Hashim Abioye presented Certificates of Return to the elected 332 councillorship and 30 local government chairmanship victors.
They were all candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as some opposition parties had boycotted the Saturday polls.
Adeleke issued the directive while administering the oath of allegiance and oath of office on the 30 local government chairmen and vice-chairmen at the Osun State Government House on Sunday.
They were elected on Saturday in an election The Presidency and the police had said should not hold but to which a court order gave the green light.
Addressing the newly sworn-in local government officials, Adeleke said the occasion is the culmination of what the people of the state laboured to achieve.
He said: “I call on you to be agents of change, community developers or providers of the dividends of democracy.
“We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword.”
He expressed appreciation to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission and commended security agencies and state officials who made the exercise a success.
Adeleke also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not allowing Osun State to descend into chaos.
“I assure Mr President of my commitment to the rule of law,” he said.
Also addressing the newly sworn-in local government officials, Oyo State’s Governor Seyi Makinde congratulated them and urged them not to forget the promise they made during the campaigns.
“This is an opportunity for you to deliver to the grassroots. This will be your stepping stone to higher positions and the reward for hardwork is more opportunities.”
Expressing surprise at the violence which broke out in the state on Monday, February 17, 2025, Makinde said he felt the need to come around to sound a warning in order to prevent a repeat of history.
“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.”
