Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has sworn in newly elected local government chairmen and councillors, all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at a ceremony held at Government House in Osogbo. The election, conducted on Saturday, was described by Adeleke as a major milestone in the state’s democratic process, emphasizing that it was conducted in line with due process.
Adeleke charged the newly sworn-in officials to be “agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of the dividends of democracy.” He also commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, security agencies, and state officials for ensuring the success of the election.
However, the swearing-in ceremony has been met with controversy, as the APC has described it as “provocative and a threat to peace and safety of the state.” The APC has also urged its reinstated chairmen and councillors to resume duty, despite the election of new officials.
In his address, Adeleke expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for resisting attempts to destabilize Osun State. He also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and the constitution in governance and conflict resolution.
The governor advised the newly elected chairmen and councillors to avoid confrontation at local government secretariats, citing an ongoing legal process to resolve the leadership crisis. He referenced an Osun State High Court ruling that had affirmed vacancies in both chairmanship and councillorship positions before the election.