As the political brickbat throwing continues between the Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over local government administration, residents have expressed concern over the way forward.
Trouble started on Monday, February 17, 2025, when six persons, according to official accounts from the Osun State Police Command, died as a result of an attempt by council officials under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resume work at local government secretariats across the state.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, under Barrister Hashim Abioye, had fixed Saturday, February 22, 2025, for fresh local government elections in the state.
The Nigeria Police, in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, advised the state government against proceeding with the local government election.
The police cited security reports and legal implications, referring to the judgment of the Appeal Court sitting in Akure, which remained a subject of contention among the Osun APC, PDP, OSSIEC, and the state government.
Prior to the Nigeria Police’s warning, the state chapter of the APC formally announced its withdrawal from the elections.
A day before the election, an Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa granted OSSIEC the authority to proceed with the local government polls.
Upon completion of the voting exercise on Saturday, OSSIEC announced that the Osun PDP won all 30 local government chairmanship positions and all 332 wards in the state. It then proceeded to issue Certificates of Return to the victorious chairmen and their deputies on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
On the same day, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke swore in the newly elected chairmen and their deputies.
Governor Adeleke also warned the newly sworn-in officials to steer clear of the local government secretariats to prevent any clashes.
However, reactions among Osun residents were divided.
While some praised the conduct of the elections, others raised concerns over logistical challenges and alleged malpractice.
Kemi Adeyemi, a trader from Osogbo, expressed satisfaction with the process.
“I was able to vote without any issues. The officials were organized, even without a security presence,” she said.
On the other hand, Adebayo Oladimeji, a teacher from Ilesa, voiced frustration over delays.
“We waited for hours before voting materials arrived at our polling unit. Many people got tired and left. This kind of inefficiency undermines the credibility of the election,” he remarked.
Political analysts have noted the impact of the state government’s involvement in the election, with some arguing that Governor Adeleke’s influence may have tilted the scales in favor of the PDP.
“When the ruling party controls the electoral body, there is always room for suspicion. The state government must work harder to build trust in the electoral process,” said Sola Akintunde, a political science student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Despite the controversies, some residents have called for unity and progress.
“What matters now is for those elected to focus on development. We need leaders who will address unemployment, education, and infrastructure,” said Funke Oladipo, a civil servant in Ede.
DAILY POST reported that OSSIEC Chairman Abioye had, during the election, raised the alarm that the commission’s office in Osogbo was sealed off by personnel of the Nigeria Police.
Abioye, in a statement later on Saturday, also alleged that OSSIEC’s inability to conduct polls in some polling units was due to the failure of polling materials to reach certain designated polling stations as a result of the harassment and arrests of OSSIEC officials by police personnel.
He, however, assured that alternative logistical arrangements had been made and that elections would commence in the affected polling stations.