Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has ordered a restriction on vehicular movement from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday as the state conducts its local government elections.
In a statement released on Friday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor directed security agencies to enforce the restriction, ensuring that only voters, accredited journalists, and civil society organizations are allowed to move freely during the election period.
The statement read:“Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed a restriction on vehicular movement across Osun State from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in light of the local government elections taking place statewide.
“The governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and security, stating that the restriction is necessary to prevent external elements from disrupting the electoral process. He, therefore, instructed security operatives to enforce compliance while allowing movement only for voters and accredited media and civil society organizations.”*
Meanwhile, tensions have risen between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a Court of Appeal ruling regarding the dismissal of APC local government chairmen and councillors.
The PDP has argued that the February 10 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure did not reinstate the sacked APC officials who were elected in 2022.
However, the APC insists that the judgment affirms their right to resume office.
The dispute escalated on Monday when members of both parties clashed while attempting to take control of local government secretariats across the state.
Security agencies reported that six people lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries during the violence.