Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has charged the newly elected chairmen and councilors to stay away from the local government secretariats to avoid confrontation with elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeleke gave the charge on Sunday while swearing-in the elected chairmen and councilors in Osogbo, the state capital.
“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 cautioned.
The governor said there were ongoing legal process to resolve existing leadership crisis.
He cited an Osun State High Court ruling that affirmed vacancies in both chairmanship and councillorship positions before the election was conducted on Saturday.
Adeleke assured the chairmen and councilors that the state government would rely on the judiciary to remove those who have taken over the council secretariats illegally.
“Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he counseled.
The governor urged the new council executives to be focused on good governance even as he warned against any attempt by external forces to forcibly occupy council secretariats.
Adeleke thanked President President Bola Tinubu for resisting attempts by some forces to destabilise the state.
While inaugurating the newly elected council executives, the governor said the election was conducted in line with due process.
“We are here to conclude a democratic process for which we all laboured so hard to achieve,” the governor said.
Adeleke recounted the journey leading to the local government election, stating that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had duly followed all legal procedures.
“The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors,” he said.
On the controversies that trailed the election, Adeleke insisted that the state government acted within the provisions 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 added.
Governor Adeleke charged the new council executives to be agent of agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of dividends of democracy.
He said, “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,” he said.
The governor commended the people of Osun State for their steadfast support, and assured them 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,” said.
The governor commended OSIEC, security agencies, and state officials for ensuring the success of the election.
He commended President Tinubu for resisting his party’s attempts to forcibly take over the councils.
“I should not end this address without acknowledging the contributions of Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I am most grateful to Mr. President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos,” Adeleke stated.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the constitution and rule of law in governance and in resolving conflicts.
Adeleke had earlier called for a minute’s silence in honour of the six individuals who lost their lives during the forceful takeover of the councils on Monday.
