Osun State has found itself at the center of a heated political storm as the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has issued a stern warning to Governor Ademola Adeleke over the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed allegations of bias in handling the crisis.
AGF Warns Against LG Polls, Calls for Law and Order
In a statement released on Thursday, the AGF cautioned Governor Adeleke to halt the planned local government elections, stating that proceeding with the polls would violate the Constitution. His warning comes on the heels of a recent Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated the previously sacked local government chairmen who were removed following an executive order by Adeleke.
According to Fagbemi, the ruling nullifies the Federal High Court’s 2022 decision, effectively restoring the tenure of the sacked officials, which remains valid until October 2025. He urged the governor to avoid political instability, warning that a fresh election would be deemed invalid.
“For the avoidance of doubt, when proceedings and decisions of the court are declared a nullity for lack of jurisdiction, it means they do not exist and have no effect whatsoever,” he stated.
Fagbemi further urged Adeleke to respect the judiciary and refrain from actions that could incite violence in the state.
Civil Society Group Counters AGF’s Position
In a swift response, the Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD) criticized the AGF, arguing that he had no legal authority to halt the elections. ODD’s Legal Adviser, Adewale Fowora, accused Fagbemi of being biased due to his past role as a legal representative for former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
“The AGF is not a court of law and cannot stop an election nor interpret court rulings. Only a court of law can decide such matters,” the group asserted.
ODD also referenced another judgment by the Action Peoples Party (APP), which allegedly nullified the APC council candidates. The group insisted that the election should proceed as planned.
IGP Dismisses Bias Allegations, Calls for Calm
Amid growing tensions, Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, accused the IGP of siding with the opposition and plotting against Governor Adeleke. However, Egbetokun dismissed the allegations as “absurd,” stating that additional security forces were deployed in Osun to maintain peace following reports of violence.
“Our priority is ensuring law and order in Osun State,” the IGP stated, assuring residents that the situation is under control.
PDP Governors Forum Calls for Restraint
The PDP Governors’ Forum, through its Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, condemned the violence in Osun and urged political leaders to prioritize peace and the rule of law.
“The PDPGF condemns in its entirety the resort to self-help by political players whose conduct ought to have been guided by the provisions of extant laws,” the statement read.
The forum further warned against the use of violence as a political tool and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
APC and PDP Clash Over Elections
The APC has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent Governor Adeleke from proceeding with the elections. APC chieftain Olatunbosun Oyintiloye emphasized that the Court of Appeal’s ruling restored their local government officials and left no vacancies in the councils.
“Governor Adeleke must respect the rule of law. Anything that can lead to bloodshed should be avoided,” Oyintiloye stated.
However, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed the APC’s concerns, insisting that the elections would proceed as scheduled.
With both parties standing their ground, all eyes are now on Osun State as political uncertainty looms ahead of Saturday’s election. Will the government heed the AGF’s warning, or will the polls go ahead despite the legal and security concerns? One thing is certain—the political drama in Osun is far from over.
