- The local government election across all 30 LGAs and 323 wards in the state has been trailed by violence, controversies and litigations.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has secured victory in both chairmanship and councillorship elections across all 30 local government areas (LGAs) within Osun State.
The head of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, made this known while addressing journalists at a press briefing on Saturday.
“I’m glad to announce to you that the local government election as conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has been successfully concluded,” Abioye said.
“It was conducted in compliance with constitutional provisions and extant laws, regulations and guidelines. The election was conducted to fill the existing vacancies in the 332 wards in Osun state and 30 local government areas.
“The election was contested by 18 political parties and results have been submitted to the commission. The available results as obtained from the field, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 332 wards emerged as winners.
“For the 30 local government areas of Osun state, the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cleared all the seats.”
Earlier today, Abioye claimed that law enforcement agents decisively blocked the commission’s headquarters, stopping reporters from acquiring necessary credentials and vests required for election reportage.
He explained that OSSIEC officials, along with essential voting paraphernalia, were unexpectedly detained while en route to designated polling stations for the upcoming national election.
Authorities requested the immediate halting of the LG electoral process, referencing an elevated probability of violent unrest and significant potential dangers to overall public safety.
Last Friday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, declared that “credible intelligence” clearly suggests several individuals are deliberately planning to undermine the calm in Osun state.
Tensions leading up to the election were marked by violent confrontations between certain All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, leading to casualties.
The unrest within the state arose following the ruling of the court of appeal concerning the removal of council chairpersons and councillors affiliated with the APC.