Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, swore in the newly elected chairpersons and councillors in the 30 LGAs and 332 wards in the controversial election held on Saturday.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the chairmam and coucillor seat.
The governor, however, directed the elected officials to stay away from the local government secretariats “to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to forcefully occupy the local government secretariats”.
“We are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding up a process that started a year or so ago. The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures, which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors,” Adeleke said.
“We are equally aware of the legal controversies that dogged the holding of the election. It is, however, a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain, and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution.
“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments. I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of dividends of democracy.”
Adeleke further thanked the people of Osun for their support and for demonstrating courage during the polls.
“We will not fail you. People’s welfare will continue to be our watchword,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for “discharging its mandate professionally and with all sense of responsibilities”, and the security agencies for maintaining law and order during the process.
The event was attended by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, and Bala Muhammed, governor of Bauchi state and chairman of the PDP governors forum.
