The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has won all chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 30 local government areas of Osun State, a development that has deepened political tension in the state.
The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, Hashim Abioye made the announcement on Saturday, affirming that the local government elections were successfully conducted despite opposition and controversy.
However, the election has triggered a fierce legal and constitutional debate, with the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, stating that the exercise should not have taken place.
The controversy surrounding the elections stems from a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal (Akure Division), which overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had removed previously elected local government officials.
The appellate court’s decision, delivered on February 10, effectively reinstated these officials, granting them the legal right to remain in office until October 2025.
Fagbemi, referencing the ruling, argued that conducting fresh elections amounted to a violation of the law, as the reinstated officials were still deemed to be in office in the face of the law.
He further pointed to a Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of local governments, insisting that the Osun State Government had no authority to unseat the officials before the expiration of their tenure.
Despite this position, the Osun State High Court in Ilesa had on Friday, February 21, ordered OSSIEC to proceed with elections for vacant positions in the local government areas. This conflicting ruling provided a legal basis for the state government to push forward with the polls, setting the stage for a standoff between state and federal authorities.
The Osun State Government maintained that the election process was legitimate and recorded a 60% voter turnout. However, reports indicated a tense atmosphere across the state, with claims of low participation in some areas due to uncertainty surrounding the legality of the polls.
Meanwhile, OSSIEC has accused security agencies of attempting to disrupt the exercise. The commission’s chairman, Abioye said operatives of the Nigeria Police Force sealed off the OSSIEC office on election day and arrested some commission staff on election duty across the state. The reason for the police action remains unclear, but it added to the controversies surrounding the election.
With the PDP’s victory now official, attention shifts to the next phase of the legal battle. The Attorney General’s warning raises questions about whether the Federal Government will take steps to nullify the election results or challenge the legitimacy of the newly elected officials.
Reported by Sahara Reporters.
