Osun LG election: Adeleke orders restriction of vehicular movement

Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025 for Osun local government elections that are scheduled to be held across the state tomorrow.

Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the Osun State Governor announced this in a statement on Friday.

Governor Adeleke, who reiterated his commitment to peace and security, said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst the local government election.

He, therefore, directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of

Recall that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had in a statement late Thursday urged Adeleke to respect the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which restored local government officials removed in 2022 and stop all plans to hold the election scheduled for Saturday.

Fagbemi said court of appeal, Akure division in its judgment delivered on Feb. 10, in Appeal No CA/AK/272/2022 reinstated the sacked Local Government Council Chairmen.

The AGF said the verdict of the appellate court implied that the All Progressives Congress (APC) local council chairmen formerly sacked by the lower court have been restored.

”Accordingly, the judgment 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

”The governor 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.

“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.

“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, it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Gov. Adeleke has sworn to uphold.

“Again, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which has validated and entrenched Local Government autonomy also strengthens the obligation on Gov. Adeleke to ensure smooth, non-violent transition from one elected officials to another in accordance with the statutorily prescribed three-year tenure.”

‘`For avoidance of doubt, when proceedings and decisions of court are declared a nullity for lack of jurisdiction, it means they do not exist and have no effect whatsoever.

“This is because the judgment upon which the governor acted to dissolve the democratically elected government has been declared a nullity for lack of jurisdiction of the court that heard the case and made those orders.

“I will appeal to Gov. Adeleke to toe the path of law in this matter and not instigate unnecessary violence in the state as nobody benefits from violence’’.

“My office will be happy to be available for any dialogue His Excellency may require on this matter in the interest of the peace of Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general’’

But the governor told a delegation of civil society advocates on Friday morning that the election will go on.