Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has assured residents that the state remains peaceful despite the forceful takeover of local government secretariats by sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councilors.
In a statewide broadcast on Thursday, he condemned the act, describing it as illegal and a direct violation of the rule of law.
He extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to those injured during the violent clashes that followed the takeover, stressing that such unlawful actions threaten the state’s stability.
Adeleke commended residents for heeding his earlier directive to stay away from the secretariats, stating that their compliance helped prevent further bloodshed and maintained order.
However, he expressed regret that the sacked APC officials returned earlier on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to forcefully reclaim the secretariats, warning that such actions could escalate tensions.
He urged citizens to avoid the secretariats and allow the judiciary to resolve the matter legally, emphasizing that patience and adherence to the law are crucial in maintaining democracy.
Addressing the APC faction’s claim of a court judgment reinstating them, Adeleke clarified that legal experts had reviewed the ruling and found no such reinstatement order.
He maintained that if APC truly had a valid court order, they should seek enforcement through judicial channels rather than resorting to self-help.
He further pointed out that the judgment that removed the APC chairmen and councilors remains valid, as their appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Ahead of the Osun local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, the governor urged residents to vote peacefully and uphold democratic values.
He reaffirmed his commitment to governance guided by the rule of law and expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would support democratic principles in addressing the crisis.
Adeleke concluded by calling on Osun residents to sustain the peace that has returned to the state, stressing that Osun remains a beacon of democracy and good governance.
Full statement…
TEXT OF A STATE BROADCAST BY GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 20TH, 2025
OSUN REMAINS A PEACEFUL STATE: GOVERNOR ADELEKE
I am elated to once again address the good people of Osun state and lovers of democracy and rule of law worldwide. After the recent unfortunate incident, which was a result of the illegal forcefull take over of Osun State Local Government Secretariats by the Court-Sacked APC chairmen and Councilors. Osun State is back to normalcy as one of the most peaceful states in the federation.
I hereby console the families and friends of those who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries in the illegal take-over of the local government secretariats by the Court-Sacked APC chairmen and councilors across the state. That unfortunate incident reminds us that abiding by the rule of law remains the best path for a peaceful Osun State.
I particularly appreciate and commend our people for complying with my directives to stay away from local government secretariats. The compliance saved our state from further confrontations and casualties. It has returned the state of the living spring to its peaceful and loving nature.
I regret to report to the good people of Osun State that the Court- Sacked APC chairmen and councilors went back yesterday, Wednesday, 19th February 2025, to forcefully break into the various local government secretariats. I urge and direct everyone in Osun State to stay away from the Local Government Secretariats to avoid any confrontation with them. The rule of law, through the judiciary, will eventually resolve the matter peacefully. Please, let us be patient.
Those who claim to have a court judgment that ordered their reinstatement should approach the court for the enforcement of the said order of court instead of resorting to self-help, which is illegal. The Nigerian judiciary has its enforcement procedure, which everyone must follow. If you have a genuine court order, follow the court enforcement protocols.
As a government, we have read through the said judgment. We have submitted it to the best of legal minds for interpretation. There is nowhere a reinstatement order was issued. No matter the manner of misinterpretation, that judgment contains no consequential order nor any reinstatement directive. Most importantly, the judgment in the APP suit, which Sacked the APC chairmen and Councilors, is still subsisting and alive. The appeal by APC against this judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal. The APC appeal was dismissed.
If the occupying Court-Sacked APC chairnen and cancellors chose to continue on the path of illegal self-help, I assure our people that the best route to resolution is the rule of law through the judiciary I am committed to upholding the rule of law alongside the passionate observance of the constitution. We will allow the court to determine the correctness or otherwise of their claim. We have confidence in the democratic credentials of President Tinubu, who we know will always insist on the rule of law.
I implore our people to continue to sustain the peace that has returned to our dear state. We need peaceful coexistence to expand our good governance delivery of the past two years. Osun state remains truly peaceful
Finally, I urge all registered voters to vote in the local government election of Saturday, 22nd February 2025, and to conduct themselves peacefully at all times
Once again, I appreciate lovers of democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Osun is the hub of democratic ideals, the home of true democrats.
HE, Senator Gov Ademola Adeleke, Executive Governor of Osun State.
