Except for pockets of disagreement in a few polling units, the local government election held across the local government areas of Osun State on Saturday, 22 February 2025, was peaceful.
While there was voter apathy in many parts of the three senatorial districts, voters came out in their numbers in some others.
Following the restriction of vehicular movement ordered by the state governor, security operatives were strategically positioned to provide security for voters and the people.
However, except for strategic locations across the state, there was no police presence at polling stations.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit in Sagba/Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, Ede, Governor Ademola Adeleke described the election as peaceful and in line with due process.
Adeleke commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the rule of law, which enabled the ongoing local government elections, and denied a report that he attacked the presidency or the person of the president.
“In my first state broadcast on this crisis, I said this about the President: ‘Let me affirm that I know Mr President to be a true democrat, a lover of the rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process. I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution, irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed”
“In my second broadcast, I said this about Mr President: ‘We have confidence in the democratic credentials of President Tinubu, who we know will always insist on the rule of law.”
The Governor further commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for a job well done.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) officially withdrew from the election, while on Friday, the Labour Party (LP) called for the postponement of the elections.
Voting exercises have ended in many polling units, with the counting of votes already done as of the time of filing this report.
