PDP Sweeps Osun State Local Government Elections Amidst Controversy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has secured a sweeping victory in Osun State, winning all chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 30 local government areas. This announcement was made by Hashim Abioye, Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), despite warnings from the police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to postpone the election.

The election was conducted amidst controversy, with the police and the AGF cautioning against the poll due to security threats. The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, had asked Governor Ademola Adeleke to put the election on hold, citing a Court of Appeal judgment that nullified a Federal High Court ruling. This judgment effectively restored APC local council chairmen who were previously sacked.

Defiance of Police and AGF Warnings

Despite these warnings, the OSSIEC went ahead with the election, relying on a judgment from the Osun State High Court in Ilesa. The commission’s chairman, Hashim Abioye, announced that the election would proceed as planned, and the exercise commenced in some local governments as early as 8 am on Saturday.

Governor Adeleke’s Reaction

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who cast his vote in the Ede North LGA, described the exercise 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, there should be no violence because Osun State is a very peaceful state,” he said.

Violence and Loss of Life

Sadly, the tensions surrounding the election resulted in clashes between APC and PDP members, leaving at least six people dead. The governor had raised concerns about APC members backed by security agencies attempting to hijack council secretariats, but his calls for caution seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Police-Sealed OSSIEC Headquarters

Earlier, the state electoral commission boss accused the police of sealing the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital, and arresting some personnel. Abioye, however, said the commission moved to an undisclosed location to carry out its constitutional duty.

The PDP’s sweeping victory in Osun State’s local government elections has been marred by controversy and violence. The election’s outcome is likely to be contested, and the tensions surrounding the poll may continue to simmer. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the various stakeholders will respond to the election’s outcome.