Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has officially sworn in newly elected local government chairmen and councillors across the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Government House, Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
Addressing the officials, Adeleke described the event as a major milestone in the state’s democratic process, affirming that the election was conducted in line with due process. He noted that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had duly followed all legal procedures leading to the election.
“We are here to conclude a democratic process for which we all laboured so hard to achieve,” the governor stated.
Before proceeding with his address, he called for a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives during what he described as the “illegal APC takeover of local government secretariats.”
Adeleke acknowledged the legal challenges surrounding the election but maintained that his administration acted within the bounds of the law.
“It is, however, a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain, and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution,” he said.
He strongly cautioned the newly sworn-in chairmen and councillors to avoid any form of confrontation at local government secretariats, citing an ongoing legal process to resolve the leadership crisis.
“I urge you and your councillors to please stay away from the council secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats,” Adeleke warned.
He referenced an Osun State High Court ruling that had affirmed vacancies in both chairmanship and councillorship positions before the election on February 22, 2025, assuring that his administration would rely on the judiciary to remove those illegally occupying the secretariats.
The governor urged the new officials to be “agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of the dividends of democracy” at the grassroots level.
“You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments. I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change,” Adeleke stated.
He commended the people of Osun for their steadfast support, promising that his administration would remain committed to their welfare.
“Osun people demonstrated courage and passion to exercise their voting rights, and they did so by massively supporting our party despite all the constraints. We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword,” he assured.
In a significant moment, Adeleke expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for resisting attempts by some forces to destabilize Osun State.
“I am most grateful to Mr. President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos,” he acknowledged.
He also praised OSIEC, security agencies, and state officials for ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election.
Concluding his address, Adeleke formally declared the swearing-in of the newly elected local government officials and urged them to remain law-abiding.
“It is on this note that I, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, hereby effect the swearing-in of elected local government chairmen across Osun State. Congratulations and God bless you,” he declared.
