To prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has instructed all recently elected local government chairmen to avoid working in the secretariats of local government councils. Noting that his administration is improving the state, Adeleke also urged the officials to operate within the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) platform.
At the Osun State Government House on Sunday, the governor gave the orders to the thirty local government chairmen and vice-chairmen while administering the oath of office and allegiance. Speaking to the recently sworn-in local government representatives, Adeleke said the event represents the culmination of the state’s citizens’ long-term efforts. Recalling the journey thus far, he added that it is the last stage of a procedure that started a year ago.
“I urge you to be change agents, community builders, or distributors of democratic benefits. “We won’t let you down. Our motto will remain “people’s welfare,” Adeleke declared. He praised state officials and security agencies for making the exercise a success and expressed gratitude to the Osun Electoral Commission.
Adeleke also thanked President Bola Tinubu for keeping Osun State from devolving into anarchy. “I pledge to uphold the rule of law,” he said to the president. Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, also spoke to the recently sworn-in local government officials, congratulating them and reminding them of their campaign pledges.
“You have a chance to reach the grassroots with this. You will use this as a springboard to more senior roles, and hard work will lead to more opportunities. Makinde, who expressed shock at the violence that erupted in the state on Monday, February 17, 2025, said he felt compelled to come and issue a warning in order to avoid a recurrence of the past.
“We do not want the ‘wild wild West’ to return.” They ought to avoid this area. We wish to give the people the benefits of democracy in a nonviolent manner. Despite a court ruling, they shouldn’t turn to self-help. They shouldn’t assume that this is a federal arrangement just because they have federal power. This is where I’ll stop.
Earlier, the elected chairmen received Certificates of Return from Barrister Hashim Abioye, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, or OSSIEC.
In addition to congratulating the elected chairmen on their win, the OSSIEC chairman urged them to serve the people and represent democracy well. The PDP’s candidates were declared the winners of the state’s 30 local government chairmanship seats and 332 council seats by OSSIEC on Saturday.
