Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for proceeding with the local government elections despite caution from the Federal Government.
In a statement shared on his official X handle on Saturday, Atiku emphasized the importance of grassroots democracy, urging for a peaceful and incident-free election while calling on security agencies and electoral officials to uphold fairness and transparency.
“The local council election is the heartbeat of a democratic system, directly impacting citizens’ lives. I commend Governor Adeleke for standing firm and urge security agencies and polling officials to perform their duties with the highest sense of responsibility,” Atiku stated.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Nigeria Police, had previously raised security concerns, citing intelligence reports that warned of potential violence if the elections proceeded. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, reiterated these concerns, suggesting a high risk of unrest.
However, the Osun State Government dismissed the warnings as politically motivated. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted that the elections must go ahead, arguing that suspending them would undermine the rule of law.
Backing the state government’s stance, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa ruled on Friday that vacancies existed in all 30 local government areas, directing the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to proceed with filling the positions. Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, who presided over the case, also instructed law enforcement agencies to ensure adequate security throughout the process.
This development follows a previous Federal High Court ruling on November 30, 2022, which nullified the October 15, 2022, council elections. The Court of Appeal upheld this judgment on January 13, 2025, reinforcing the need for fresh elections to fill the vacant council positions.
Despite opposition from the Federal Government, Adeleke’s administration remains resolute, pressing forward with the elections in what many see as a bold stance in defending state-level democracy.
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