The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated his stance on the local government elections scheduled for Saturday despite an appeal from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the polls.
This development was made known in a statement on Friday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. Adeleke emphasised that democracy is guided by the rule of law and that no individual has the authority to override the courts.
He said,“My advice to all parties, including local and national stakeholders, is to abide by democratic norms.
“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. 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,” the statement read.
It could be recalled that the AGF on Thursday, called on Adeleke to direct Independent Electoral Commission of the state to halt the election, with the warning that it would be invalid and a violation of the Constitution.
Fagbemi cited the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that nullified the previous local government elections conducted under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. The ruling effectively reinstated the sacked council chairmen, whose tenure, according to the AGF, remains valid until October 2025.
Fagbemi noted 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 judgment 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.
He further urged Adeleke to refrain from any action that could trigger violence, uphold the rule of law and maintain peace in the state.
