Local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State have resumed work at their respective secretariats, despite a directive from Governor Ademola Adeleke preventing access due to ongoing legal disputes over the legitimacy of some officials.
The elected officials, following the October 15, 2022, local government election, defied the governor’s order and occupied their offices in various local governments, including Ila, Ede South, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Boripe, Oriade, and Obokun. They also took charge of secretariats in Ejigbo, Iwo, Ayedire, and Boripe.
Jamiu Olawumi, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, confirmed that by 10 a.m., 14 local government offices were fully operational. He also highlighted the heavy security presence at these locations, with police, civil defense, and DSS operatives ensuring safety.
“We have 14 as of 10 am. They are Ila, Ede South, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Boripe, Oriade, and Obokun. Ejigbo, Iwo, Ayedire, and Boripe. Security was top-notch. Members of the police tactical team, an armed squad of civil defence, and DSS are all present around the secretariat,” Olawumi said.
Despite the security measures, Olawumi urged the governor to take further action. “They should take away thugs they brought here. They have them in town. If you move around, you will see different faces that you have not seen here. They should not encourage those militants and cultists to kill the Osun people,” he warned.
The crisis continues as both political factions vie for control of the state’s local government administration, with Adeleke’s administration under pressure to resolve the dispute.