The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 30 local government areas (LGAs) of Osun State.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, announced the results at a press conference on Saturday.
Despite warnings from the police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the election, the commission proceeded with the poll. OSSIEC justified its decision based on a judgment from the Osun State High Court in Ilesa, which mandated the conduct of elections to fill vacant chairmanship and councillorship positions in all 30 LGAs.
The election began as early as 8 a.m. across all the local councils in the South-West state, including Ede North LGA, where Governor Ademola Adeleke cast his vote.
After voting, Governor Adeleke described the process as peaceful. “The process has been very peaceful. I made a broadcast to my good people of Osun State that this election should be peaceful, and there should be no violence because Osun State is a very peaceful state,” he said.
Tensions Over the Election
The election, however, was marred by controversy. The OSSIEC chairman accused the police of sealing the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo and arresting some personnel. He stated that the commission relocated to an undisclosed location to carry out its constitutional duties.
The police had earlier warned against the poll, citing security threats. According to security officials, credible intelligence suggested a likelihood of violence.
The Attorney General of the Federation also opposed the election, citing a February 10, 2025, ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure, which nullified a previous Federal High Court judgment that had sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen in November 2022. The AGF argued that the appellate court’s decision effectively reinstated the APC local council chairmen.
Clashes Between PDP and APC Supporters
The election took place amid rising political tensions between PDP and APC members. Since Monday, at least six people have been confirmed dead in violent clashes over control of local government councils.
Before the clashes, Governor Adeleke had raised concerns that APC members, allegedly backed by security agencies, planned to take over council secretariats. He urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution one of his ministers, Gboyega Oyetola, over the looming crisis. However, the situation escalated despite the warning.
With the PDP securing all seats in the election, political tensions in Osun State are expected to continue, especially as opposition parties contest the legitimacy of the process.
