The legal battle over local government elections in Osun State has taken a dramatic turn, as the Osun State High Court in Ilesa has ordered the state’s electoral commission to proceed with the polls. This ruling comes amid a heated political crisis, federal opposition, and concerns over security and constitutional legality.
On Friday, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe mandated the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct elections for the vacant chairmanship and councillorship positions across the 30 local government areas. The ruling followed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which sought judicial intervention to ensure the democratic process was upheld.
Justice Aderibigbe’s order explicitly compels OSSIEC to proceed with the elections scheduled for February 22, 2025, stating:
> “An order of this honourable court is granted, directing, mandating, and compelling the defendants to fill the vacancies across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State through a democratic process by proceeding to conduct the Local Government Elections already scheduled by the defendants for the 22nd of February, 2025.”
Additionally, the judge directed security agencies—including the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante groups—to ensure peace and security before, during, and after the elections.
The Federal Government, however, has strongly opposed the elections, citing a conflicting ruling. Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, advised the suspension of the polls, arguing that a Court of Appeal judgment had already reinstated sacked local government officials whose tenure runs until October 2025.
Fagbemi warned that proceeding with the election would be unconstitutional and render the exercise invalid.
> “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.”
Despite the Federal Government’s stance, Governor Ademola Adeleke remains resolute. In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to holding the election as scheduled.
> “As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. The election is going to hold, and the outcome will be a fast-tracked development at the local level.”
Osun State has been engulfed in tensions over the election, with political factions clashing and reports of violence emerging. The crisis has already led to loss of lives, raising concerns over whether the upcoming polls will escalate the situation further.
As the February 22 election date approaches, the battle lines are drawn between the state government, the judiciary, and the federal authorities. Will Adeleke defy the AGF and push forward with the polls, or will federal pressure and legal complexities force a reconsideration? The coming weeks promise to be pivotal in shaping the political future of Osun State.
PIONEER NEWS 