Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged newly inaugurated local government chairmen in the state to refrain from entering their respective council secretariats to prevent clashes with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor issued the directive during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected chairmen, held in front of the Banquet Hall at the Government House in Osogbo on Sunday.

Adeleke noted that the decision was necessary due to the presence of APC members, who he alleged had forcefully taken control of the secretariats.

He acknowledged the legal challenges surrounding the election but maintained that his administration had acted within the confines of the law.

?I urge you and your councilors to please stay away from the council secretariats to avoid any clash with those whom the police had aided to occupy the local government secretariats forcefully. An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the Chairman and Councilors positions in all of Osun State Local Governments before your election on the 22nd February 2025. We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.

?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. Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,? he said,

Adeleke further charged the newly elected chairmen to focus on governance and community development in line with the PDP?s manifesto.

?I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver good governance in your respective local governments. I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the People?s 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 democracy?s dividends,? he said.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for maintaining neutrality in the political crisis, stating that his refusal to support actions that could destabilise the state was commendable.

?I should not end this address without acknowledging the contributions of Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am most grateful to Mr President for rejecting efforts by some forces to plunge Osun into chaos. I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process.? (Nigerian Tribune)