Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has cast his vote in the ongoing local government election, which has sparked controversy and heightened political tensions in the state.
The election follows a heated legal battle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The dispute escalated after a recent Court of Appeal judgment overturned the removal of local government chairmen and councillors who were dismissed by a Federal High Court ruling in November 2022.
The crisis dates back to the tenure of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, under whom the affected officials were elected. In 2022, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified their election.
However, on February 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure reversed the decision, reinstating the officials. This led to violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters, resulting in the deaths of at least six people earlier in the week.
Despite the Court of Appeal ruling, Governor Adeleke proceeded with the election, a move strongly opposed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
In a statement on Thursday, Fagbemi warned that the election was unconstitutional, arguing that the reinstated officials’ tenure remains valid until October 2025.
He stated that any election conducted before then would be “null and void” and would undermine both the judiciary and the Nigerian Constitution.
Despite the AGF’s position, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa ruled on Friday that the election should go ahead as planned.
Presiding over the case, Justice A. Aderigbigbe affirmed that leadership positions in the 30 local government areas were vacant, as earlier declared by the Federal High Court. The court directed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct the election and instructed security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), to ensure security during the process.
However, on Friday, the police announced their withdrawal from the election, citing security concerns and legal implications.
After casting his vote in his hometown of Ede, Governor Adeleke expressed confidence in the electoral process and urged residents to maintain peace.