Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has urged the newly elected local government chairmen across state to stay away from the council Secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats.
Adeleke who sworn-in newly elected 30 local government chairmen on Sunday at the Governor’s House, appealed to them to be patient and always abide by the rule of law.
He said that that the state government will rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.
Adeleke charged them to deliver on good governance in their respective local governments, enjoined the newly elected chairmen to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Before we proceed, let us rise for a minute of silence for victims of illegal APC take over of local government secretariats. May their souls rest in perfect peace.
“We are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding up a process that started a year or so ago. The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors.
“We are equally aware of the legal controversies that dogged the holding of the election. It is however a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of rule of law and the constitution.
“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments. I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developer and deliverer of dividends of democracy.
“To the good people of Osun state, I use this occasion to express my gratitude for your steadfast support for our administration. Osun people demonstrated courage and passion to exercise their voting rights and they did so by massively supporting our party despite all the constraints. We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword.
Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde, alongside with the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, Balan Muhammed of Bauchi State, urged the newly elected chairmen to fulfill their campaign promises to their people at the grassroot.
According to Makinde “This is an opportunity for you to deliver to the grassroots. This will be your stepping stones to higher positions and the reward for hardwork is more opportunities.”
Expressing surprise over the violence which broke out on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Oyo State Governor said he felt the need to come around to sound a warning in order to prevent a repeat of history.
“We don’t want wild wild west again. They should stay away from this zone. We want to peacefully provide the dividend of democracy to the people.
“They should not resort to self help even if there is a court judgment. They should not think because they have Federal might. This is a Federal arrangement. I will stop here.”
