Osun LG Elections: PDP’s Clean Sweep of 30 Seats Sparks Reactions

Residents of Osun State have voiced concerns about the future as the political backstabbing between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapters over local government management continues.

On Monday, February 17, 2025, council officials affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to return to work at local government secretariats throughout the state, resulting in the deaths of six people, according to official reports from the Osun State Police Command.

Barrister Hashim Abioye, the head of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, or OSSIEC, has set Saturday, February 22, 2025, as the date of the state’s next local elections.

In a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police recommended that the state government not move on with the local government poll.

Citing security reports and legal ramifications, the police brought up the ruling of the Akure-based Appeal Court, which was still a point of disagreement between the state government, the Osun APC, the PDP, and the OSSIEC.

The state chapter of the APC publicly declared its withdrawal from the elections prior to the warning from the Nigeria Police.

A day prior to the election, OSSIEC was given permission by an Osun State High Court in Ilesa to hold the local government elections.

After the voting process concluded on Saturday, OSSIEC declared that the Osun PDP had won all 332 wards in the state as well as all 30 local government chairperson posts. On Sunday, February 23, 2025, it then went ahead and gave Certificates of Return to the chairmen who had won and their deputies.

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, swore in the newly elected chairmen and their deputy members the same day.

The freshly sworn officials were also cautioned by Governor Adeleke to avoid the local government secretariats in order to avoid any conflicts.

Osun people, however, had differing opinions.

Others expressed worries about alleged malfeasance and logistical difficulties, while others commended the way the elections were conducted.

One Osogbo trader, Kemi Adeyemi, was pleased with the procedure.

“There were no problems with my vote. Even in the absence of protection, the authorities were well-organized, she claimed.

Adebayo Oladimeji, an Ilesa teacher, however, expressed annoyance at the delays.

“Voting materials did not arrive at our polling station for hours. Many folks fled because they were fatigued. The election’s credibility is damaged by this kind of ineptitude,” he said.

Some political observers argue that Governor Adeleke’s influence may have swung the election in favor of the PDP, highlighting the effect of the state government’s engagement.

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“There is always potential for suspicion when the ruling party controls the electoral body. To increase confidence in the election process, the state administration needs to put in more effort, according to Sola Akintunde, a political science student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Despite the disputes, some locals have demanded harmony and advancement.

Right now, it’s important that elected officials prioritize development. We require leaders who will tackle infrastructure, education, and unemployment,” stated Funke Oladipo, an Ede civil official.

According to reports, during the election, OSSIEC Chairman Abioye expressed concern that Nigeria Police officers had closed up the commission’s Osogbo office.

Abioye further claimed in a statement later on Saturday that the harassment and detention of OSSIEC officials by police officers were the reason why polling materials failed to reach some specified polling stations, which prevented OSSIEC from conducting polls in some polling units.

Elections would start in the impacted polling places, he promised, adding that other logistical measures had been arranged.