• Anxieties Over Violence Across State

The battle lines appear to have been drawn between the ruling People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in Osun as the ruling party insists on going ahead with the local government election today.

The state said the stage is set for the conduct of the election as necessary arrangements have been made to ensure it holds.

This is amidst advice and warning by the Federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun against holding the election.

Late Friday, the force headquarters, in a statement signed Olumuyiwa Adejobi, its spokesman warned against going ahead with the election.

The police said the tension in the state is too heightened for any election to hold adding that proceeding with the election could lead to escalation of the already tensed situation.

“The Force has assessed the current security landscape and determined that proceeding with the elections under these volatile conditions could escalate into widespread unrest, endangering lives and property.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, is fully prepared to take decisive action to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

“However, to avert unnecessary confrontation and safeguard the democratic process, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders that the elections be stood down,” the statement said last night.

It went ahead to state that beyond the security concerns, “it is also imperative to consider the legal clarification by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on the extant judicial pronouncements concerning Local Government administration in Osun State with regards to the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on the 10th of February 2025 which stands to have nullified the Federal High Court’s previous decision and reinforces the position that the elections, as presently contemplated, lack a firm legal foundation.”

The Minister of Justice, while basing his argument and advice on “facts made available to my office,” had said that “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, 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 smooth, non-violent transition from one elected officials to another in accordance with the statutorily prescribed 3 year tenure.

“It is, therefore, of utmost importance for Governor Adeleke to advise Osun State OSIEC to shelve the idea of proceeding with any Local Government Election now.”

As at late Friday, Governor Ademola Adeleke insisted that the election would go ahead.

“Election is going to hold and the outcome will be a fast tracked development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state”,adding that the state electoral body has concluded all its arrangements towards a peaceful and fair election.

NPO Reports correspondent who went through major parts of Osun on Friday observed that people were going out with the normal daily routines.

Major town and cities where the NPO Reports correspondent moved around include Osogbo, Ilesa, Esa Oke, Ijebu Jesa, Ede, Awo, Iwo.

Reports available according to contacts in Ife, Ikirun, Ila, Ejigbo also indicated that residents were going on with their normal duties.