Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke has affirmed that local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, will hold unfailingly and will be conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The governor made the assertion on Friday morning, February 21, while receiving a delegation of civil societies coalition who were in the state to monitor the local government elections.
According to Adeleke, Osun voters were prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday .
“I welcome you all to Osun state. Our people are prepared for elections tomorrow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors.
“OSSIEC has also done marvellous preparatory job according to reports at my disposal. Several political parties are participating and I believe there will be a level-playing ground for all to test their popularity with the masses,” the governor told the visiting election monitors.
On the controversy over the elections, the governor asserted that democracy is governed by rule of law and that nobody can assume the authority of the courts.
“My advice to all parties including local and national stakeholders is to abide by democratic norms. As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help.
“Election is going to hold and the outcome will be a fast-track development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state,” Governor Adeleke stated.
This comes days after the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warned against the conduct of fresh local government elections in Osun State until October this year when the tenure of the chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the APC will expire. He added that any action to the contrary will be illegal.