“Fatal Clash Over Local Elections: 6 Dead and a Divided Osun State”

The political tension in Osun State continues to escalate between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as they clash over local government administration. The situation became particularly tense after a tragic incident on Monday, February 17, 2025, when six people lost their lives during an attempt by APC council officials to resume work at local government secretariats.

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), headed by Barrister Hashim Abioye, had scheduled fresh local government elections for Saturday, February 22, 2025. However, the Nigeria Police intervened, advising the state government against proceeding with the elections due to security concerns and ongoing legal disputes related to a judgment from the Appeal Court in Akure, which remained unresolved.

Despite the police warning, the APC in Osun formally withdrew from the election, and on the eve of the election, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa granted OSSIEC permission to go ahead with the polls. When the results were announced, OSSIEC declared the PDP victorious in all 30 local government chairmanship positions and all 332 wards in the state. The newly elected officials were sworn in by Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

The elections, however, sparked mixed reactions among residents. While some people praised the process, others raised concerns about inefficiencies and alleged malpractice. Kemi Adeyemi, a trader from Osogbo, commended the organization of the election, saying that she was able to vote without any issues. However, Adebayo Oladimeji, a teacher from Ilesa, criticized the delays, noting that many voters became frustrated when voting materials arrived late, which undermined the credibility of the election.

Political analysts have expressed concerns about the role of the state government in the elections, with some suggesting that Governor Adeleke’s influence may have led to an unfair advantage for the PDP. Sola Akintunde, a political science student, pointed out that when the ruling party controls the electoral body, it often breeds suspicion about the fairness of the process.

Despite the controversies surrounding the election, some residents have called for unity and progress, urging the newly elected officials to focus on addressing critical issues such as unemployment, education, and infrastructure.

In a related development, OSSIEC Chairman Abioye reported that the commission’s office in Osogbo had been sealed off by the Nigeria Police, which prevented the commission from conducting elections in some polling units. He also claimed that harassment and arrests of OSSIEC officials by the police led to delays in the delivery of polling materials to certain stations. Nevertheless, Abioye reassured the public that alternative arrangements were made to ensure the election proceeded in the affected areas.

As the dust settles, Osun residents are hopeful that the elected officials will prioritize the development of the state, focusing on key issues and working towards peace and unity.