Despite an appeal for its suspension from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has insisted that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday will hold.
The governor made this known in a statement on Friday by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed.
According to Adeleke, democracy is guided by the rule of law and no individual has the authority to override the courts.
“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. Election is going to hold, and the outcome will be a fast-tracked development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state,” the statement read.
“My advice to all parties, including local and national stakeholders, is to abide by democratic norms.
“Our people are prepared for elections tomorrow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors.
“OSIEC has also done a marvelous preparatory job according to reports at my disposal. Several political parties are participating and I believe there will be a level playing ground for all to test their popularity with the masses.”
The Attorney General of the Federation had on Thursday called on Adeleke to instruct the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to shift the election, until October this year when the tenure of the chairmen and councillors elected on the platform of the APC will expire.
He added that any action to the contrary will be invalid and a violation of the Constitution.
