The Federal Government has directed Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to suspend the Local Government elections scheduled to hold in the state on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, ordered the suspension of the election in behalf of the federal government.
Fagbemi in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the legal situation surrounding the elections had become complicated due to a recent court ruling.
Fagbemi argued that the Court of Appeal had overturned the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, which had earlier declared the local government elections conducted under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola invalid.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling, delivered on February 10, 2025, restored the elected officials, confirming that their term of office will continue until October 2025.
However, Governor Adeleke, insisted that the elections would go ahead, despite the court ruling.
He had urged the people of Osun State to vote, claiming that nothing would stop the elections from taking place.
Fagbemi, however, insisted that holding the elections would violate the law, as the term of office of the current elected local government officials is still in effect.
He stated that proceeding with the elections would be an illegal action and a serious breach of the Constitution, which Adeleke has sworn to uphold.
The conflict began when Adeleke, after assuming office, removed the local government chairmen elected under the administration of Oyetola and appointed caretakers.
This move was met with resistance from those who believed the elections had been unfairly annulled.
According to Fagbemi, the violence that followed these actions was partly due to the refusal of some groups to accept the decision of the court, which had ruled in favor of the elected officials.
Fagbemi also pointed out that recent rulings by the Supreme Court had strengthened the principle of Local Government autonomy, further reinforcing the need for a peaceful and lawful transition of power.
He urged Adeleke to ensure that no elections take place until the current term of office expires in October 2025.
The AGF concluded by calling on Governor Adeleke to advise the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to cancel any plans to proceed with the elections, as holding them would not only be unlawful but also go against the principles of the Constitution. (vitalnewsngr.com)
