The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in all the 30 local government areas (LGAs) in Osun State.

The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday.

Despite warnings from the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) proceeded with the local government elections on Saturday, February 22.

The commission based its decision on a judgment from the Osun State High Court in Ilesa, which directed the electoral body to fill vacant positions for chairmen and councillors in all 30 local government areas (LGAs).

Election activities began as early as 8 AM in all 30 local councils, including Ede North LGA, where Governor Ademola Adeleke cast his vote.

Speaking after voting, Adeleke described the exercise as peaceful, urging Osun residents to maintain calm.

“The process has been very peaceful. I made a broadcast to my good people of Osun State that this election should be peaceful. There should be no violence because Osun State is a very peaceful state,” the governor stated.

Earlier, OSSIEC Chairman, Segun Abioye, accused the police of sealing the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo and arresting some personnel. In response, the electoral body relocated to an undisclosed location to conduct its activities.

The Nigeria Police Force, which had issued a security warning on Friday, cited credible intelligence of potential violence as the basis for its advisory against holding the elections.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, had urged Governor Adeleke to suspend the elections, arguing that a February 10, 2025 ruling by the Court of Appeal (Akure Division) nullified the previous judgment that removed APC-elected local council chairmen.

According to the AGF, the appellate court’s decision meant that the previously sacked APC council executives had been reinstated, making any new election legally contentious.

The election took place against a backdrop of violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters, which have resulted in at least six deaths since Monday.

Governor Adeleke had earlier accused APC members, backed by security agencies, of attempting to forcefully seize control of local council secretariats. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution Minister Gboyega Oyetola, but no decisive action was taken, leading to an escalation of tensions.

Credit: NaijNews