The Governor’s Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the All Progressive Congress (APC) not to turn Osun into the ‘wild wild west’, calling for rule of law and counseling against resorting to self-help.
Speaking on behalf of the forum at Osogbo was the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde in the presence of the PDP Governors Forum chairman, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi state.
The two Governors had attended the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected council chairmen in solidarity with Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Forum reminded all those fomenting trouble in Osun state to remember history and learn from it, warning that Osun should not be plunged into crisis over a matter that can be resolved by the judiciary.
While urging the APC to leave Osun state alone, Governor Makinde said anybody that has a grouse should seek judicial redress instead of resorting to self help.
According to the Oyo state governor, the PDP and its Governors are only interested in delivering dividends of democracy to our people, adding that “my brother is delivering on his promises to the people of Osun state.”
“If anybody has a judgement, there is a procedure for enforcement of court decisions. It is illegal to resort to self help,” the Governor submitted.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has conducted the swearing in of the new council chairmen who in turn conducted the inauguration of their councillors in a carnival like event today.
At the event witnessed by both Governors Muhammed and Makinde, Governor Adeleke told the cheering chairmen and their supporters, “we are on the side of the law within the context of rule of law and the constitution.
“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.
“Our thanks also goes to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for discharging its mandate professionally and with all sense of responsibilities. We also commend security agencies and state officials who made the election a reality.
“I should not end this address without acknowledging the contributions of Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am most grateful to Mr President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos. I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process,” the statement Governor noted.
Governor Adeleke however directed the elected chairman and councillors to stay away from the local government secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats.
“An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the Chairman and Councilors positions in all of Osun State Local Governments before your election on the 22nd February 2025. We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats,” the Governor assured.
Delivering a vote of thanks, the newly elected chairman of Ifelodun local government, Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde expressed gratitude to the electorate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State government for making the electoral process a reality.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we pledge our loyalty to the people and the constitution. We will not fail the electorate,” the council boss assured.
Makinde also bemoaned the federal government’s attempt to truncate democracy in the country by taking over local government areas in Osun State.
Makinde made the assertion at the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Osun State Government House, Osogbo.
The Oyo State Governor who was accompanied by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed, said the federal government is forcefully taken over by the government through back door without following due process.
He congratulated the newly sworn-in chairmen and councilors on their victory at the just concluded local government election. “Don’t forget the promises you made to the people during your electioneering campaign.”
“With the support of your Governor, you will go far and deliver. This would be your stepping stone to aspire to a higher position. The reward of hard work and delivery is more work. Myself and the PDP Governor Forum decided to come here to grease this momentum occasion and to solidarize with the government of Osun.
“We were in Lagos some weeks ago to discuss the development of our zone to tackle problems affecting the people of Southwest,” Makinde said.
Makinde reaffirmed the PDP Governors’ Forum’s commitment to regional development, revealing that they recently met in Lagos to strategise on tackling issues affecting the South-West.
He warned against political violence, referencing past crises in the region.
“We remember Operation ‘Wetie’ in the South-West. We do not want a repeat. Our focus is to deliver democratic dividends peacefully,” he cautioned.
Emphasising the need for lawful governance, Makinde insisted that judicial processes must be followed.
“Nobody should resort to self-help. Having federal power does not grant you the right to circumvent due process. This is a federal system—do not attempt to truncate it,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on reinstated local government chairmen and councillors to disregard social media reports suggesting they have been directed not to resume work.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC dismissed the claim as false, describing it as a fabrication by political opponents.
“Our attention has been drawn to fake news circulating on social media, allegedly from a so-called democratic state government, claiming that the APC leadership in Osun State has instructed its elected local government chairmen and councillors not to resume work tomorrow. This information did not originate from our party leadership,” the statement read.
Olabisi accused unnamed political actors of spreading misinformation to create confusion and achieve their political ambitions.
“This is the handiwork of reactionary elements attempting to mislead our duly elected council officials. We want to make it abundantly clear that our reinstated local government chairmen and councillors must resume at their respective council areas and continue serving the people at the grassroots level,” he emphasised.
The APC reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, citing the Court of Appeal judgment delivered in Akure, Ondo State, on 10th February 2025, as the legal foundation for the reinstatement of its elected local government officials.
The party also warned that certain elements, allegedly backed by the state government, were planning to disrupt governance at the local level.
“We are aware that some disgruntled elements, emboldened by the lawless administration in Osun State, are planning to invade local government council areas.
“We call on the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the State Comptroller of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to maintain law and order across all local government areas,” the statement continued.
The APC urged parents and guardians to caution their children against being used as political thugs by those seeking to destabilise the state.
“We appeal to parents to warn their wards against being recruited for political violence by failed politicians who are determined to disrupt the peace of the state,” Olabisi stated.
Reiterating its position, the APC insisted there were no vacancies in local government offices, as their officials had been reinstated by the court.
“A word is enough for the wise. Those who are destined to be misled will ignore these warnings, just like the proverbial dog that refuses to heed the hunter’s whistle,” the statement concluded.
