In a significant move aimed at clarifying the local government leadership crisis in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke held a special briefing with the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers today. The governor emphasized that no court order has reinstated the chairmen of the controversial Yes/No local government elections, which were previously annulled by the courts.
During the meeting, chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Governor Adeleke presented four court judgments that affirm the validity of the decision to nullify the Yes/No elections. He expressed concern over misinformation surrounding the ruling, asserting that “our state just survived a major threat to the democratic space.”
Governor Adeleke recounted how the flawed electoral process, hastily organized by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, was challenged in court by two political parties. He highlighted that the Federal High Court declared the elections null and void, leading to the removal of the chairmen who were purportedly elected.
“Our fathers, since the appeal was dismissed, the judgement sacking the Yes/No chairmen remains valid. As of today, the sack order has never been vacated by any court of law,” he stated.
In his address, the governor criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to illegally occupy council secretariats and for not pursuing an appeal against the ruling that removed the Yes/No chairmen. He noted that the Supreme Court upheld the judgments that confirmed the elections were conducted in violation of the electoral act.
Governor Adeleke urged the traditional rulers to educate their communities about the court’s decisions and to combat the spread of false information. He affirmed his commitment to the rule of law and expressed hope that justice will prevail as the newly elected council officials seek legal recourse against the illegal occupants of the secretariats.
“I appeal to our royal fathers to further educate their subjects on the facts of the controversies,” Governor Adeleke noted in his address. “We are a community of enlightened citizenry. We should not allow fake news to be weaponized to destroy our dear state,” he added, as stated by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the State Governor.
The traditional rulers expressed their support for the governor’s position, committing to relay the facts to their subjects and to engage with relevant stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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