Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday will proceed as planned, despite an appeal from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the polls.
In a statement on Friday, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, stating that no individual has the authority to override court decisions.
“My advice to all parties, including local and national stakeholders, is to abide by democratic norms. For me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. The election will hold, and its outcome will accelerate development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful—Osun is a truly peaceful state,” the statement read.
The AGF, in a Thursday statement, had urged Adeleke to direct the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to halt the election, arguing that it would be unconstitutional and invalid.
Fagbemi cited a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which reinstated sacked council chairmen who had been removed following an earlier Federal High Court decision. According to him, their tenure remains valid until October 2025, making any fresh election an unconstitutional act.
He further cautioned against actions that could incite violence and urged Governor Adeleke to prioritize peace and uphold the Constitution.
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