Osun Assembly Faults Takeover Of LG Secretariat

Osun State House of Assembly condemned the resumption of office on Wednesday of some chairmen and councillors elected in the state’s October 15, 2022, local government elections.

Recall that the governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, directed on Monday that people should stay clear of local government secretariats following the violence that erupted over attempts by the 2022 elected political functionaries to occupy them.

However, on Wednesday morning, despite the governor’s directive, about fourteen local government secretariats were occupied by Chairmen and councillors elected on October 15, 2022, claiming that they came to resume duty because of the February 10 court of Appeal verdict.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, described the development as unlawful and added that the action amounts to a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

Egbedun accused members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of forcefully breaking into local government secretariats across the state, saying that the unlawful invasion was not only a direct attack on democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order.

“Even more disturbing is the fact that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law, were present while these illegal acts were being carried out. This is unjust, unlawful, and unacceptable. Law enforcement agencies must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities”.

Flanked by principal officers of the House, Egbedun noted that, following the violence that erupted on Monday, Governor Adeleke issued a directive that all individuals, regardless of political affiliation, must stay clear of the local government secretariats to prevent further crisis and uphold law and order.

He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state fully complied with the directive because they prioritise peace, stability, and democratic governance over political confrontation.

The Speaker warned all political actors to desist from unconstitutional acts and pursue their grievances through legitimate legal channels rather than resorting to violence, intimidation, or force.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all illegal occupants of the local government secretariats are evicted immediately and effect the arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the unlawful invasion.