Democracy Restored: Gov Adeleke swears in newly elected Osun LG chairmen, calls for patience
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has officially inaugurated the newly elected local government chairmen, marking the conclusion of what he described as a hard-fought democratic process.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Adeleke emphasized the legitimacy of the electoral process, condemned the previous takeover of local government secretariats, and urged patience as legal mechanisms are pursued to remove those he described as illegal occupants.
Before proceeding with his address, Governor Adeleke called for a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives during the “illegal APC takeover” of local government secretariats.
“May their souls rest in perfect peace,” he solemnly declared.
Reflecting on the journey to this moment, the governor noted that the electoral process began over a year ago with due notification from the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).
“I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures, which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors,” he stated.
Governor Adeleke acknowledged the legal disputes surrounding the elections but maintained confidence in the legitimacy of his administration’s actions. “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,” he asserted.
He charged the newly elected chairmen to focus on good governance and align their plans with 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 the dividends of democracy,” he urged.
Despite the swearing-in, Adeleke instructed the newly elected officials to stay away from the council secretariats for now, as legal steps are taken to remove the individuals occupying them. “An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the chairman and councillor positions in all of Osun State Local Governments before your election on February 22, 2025.
We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats,” he said.
He further appealed for patience and strict adherence to the rule of law. “Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he urged.
Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude to the people of Osun for their steadfast support. “Osun people demonstrated courage and passion to exercise their voting rights and did so by massively supporting our party despite all the constraints. We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword,” he assured.
He also commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, security agencies, and state officials for their roles in ensuring a smooth election process.
In a notable acknowledgment, Adeleke extended appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rejecting alleged attempts to instigate chaos in Osun State. “I am most grateful to Mr. President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos. I assure Mr. President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance processes,” he stated.
