Segun Atanda/
An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa has declared all 30 local government chairmanship and councilor positions in the state vacant and directed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to conduct elections to fill the positions.
The court, presided over by Justice A.A. Aderibigbe, invalidated the October 15, 2022, local government elections, describing them as null and void.
Justice Aderibigbe noted that the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal had earlier declared the elections illegal, resulting in the removal of officials elected during the exercise.
In the judgment, the court directed OSSIEC to conduct fresh elections as scheduled on February 22, 2025.
It also mandated security agencies, including the police, army, DSS, and others, to ensure peace and order before, during, and after the elections.
Osun State Attorney General, Hon. Wole Jimi Bada, confirmed the government’s readiness to comply with the court ruling.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo, he described the Adeleke administration as law-abiding and called on citizens to participate peacefully in the elections.
“We urge Osun voters to turn out tomorrow and exercise their voting rights. The judgment is explicit, and it is binding on all stakeholders,” he said.
The state government also assured residents of adequate security arrangements to ensure a smooth electoral process.
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