- Why Adeleke Must Stop LG Poll-AGF
- No, Elections Will Hold As Planned Despite Tensions
A showdown is looming between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke over the contentious Local Government election slated for February 22 in the state.
The Matrix gathered that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has asked Governor Adeleke to put the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, on hold.
However, the governor has insisted that the polls will proceed as planned.
Osun State has been the hotbed of violence over the LG polls and its fallout with no fewer than eight people already killed when the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members clashed in Osun State over the control of local government councils.
READ ALSO: “Osun LG Elections To Hold As Planned Despite Tensions” – Governor Adeleke
Ahead of the LG council polls slated for February 22, 2025, the Justice Minister maintained that the Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, nullified the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, delivered on November 25, 2022.
The AGF said the verdict of the appellate court implied that the APC local council chairmen formerly sacked by the lower court have been restored.
Fagbemi said, “Accordingly, the judgement of the Court of Appeal had by implication effectively restored the elected Local Government officials removed by the Federal High Court, back to their offices.
“According to the facts made available to my office, it was the attempt by the said elected officials to resume back in their positions that was resisted by some disgruntled elements which led to the crisis.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is no doubt aware of this scenario and ought, as a leader to have called the disgruntled elements to order in accordance with his Oath of Office to maintain law and order in Osun State.
READ ALSO: Osun LG Mayhem: Death Toll Hits Eight
“Notwithstanding the judgment of the Court of Appeal referenced above, which in effect means that the term of office of the elected officials has regained currency and will naturally run out in October 2025, His Excellency has insisted that a new Local Government election shall be held on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025.
“Any such election that may be held will not only be invalid since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgement of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 2025, but it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold.
“Again, the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which has validated and entrenched Local Government autonomy also strengthens the obligation on Governor Adeleke to ensure a smooth, non-violent transition from one elected official to another in accordance with the statutorily prescribed 3-year tenure.”
Countering Fagbemi, Adeleke has reaffirmed that the Osun State Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, will proceed as planned.
In a statewide address on Thursday, Adeleke urged all political actors to adhere to the rule of law during the election, emphasizing that peace had been restored following confrontations sparked by the Appeal Court’s verdict reinstating the dismissed APC chairmen.
He assured citizens that legal avenues would resolve any disputes, stating, “As a government, we have reviewed the judgment and sought expert legal interpretation. We will allow the courts to determine the correctness or otherwise of their claim.”
With the governor’s firm stance, Osun residents now look ahead to the upcoming polls amid ongoing political and legal battles as fears of bloodshed loom afresh.
