The newly elected chairmen of the 30 local government councils in Osun State have received their Certificates of Return.
On Saturday, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) swept all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the South-Western state, reports Channels TV.
A day later, the commission presented the winners with their certificates.
The Commission’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
She said that the OSIEC Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye, congratulated the elected chairmen on their victory and urged them to be good ambassadors of democracy both in conduct and service to the people.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the PDP has commended electorates for exercising their democratic rights in Saturday’s local government elections.
The party’s chairman in Osun, Hon. Sunday Bisi, described the voters as the heroes of democracy.
In a statement yesterday, Bisi “expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the poll, shower praises on the Osun electorates for successfully navigating the needless provocation and harassment from compromised security agents, notably the Police, in an attempt to disrupt the elections.”
“Before and on Saturday, the will of our people for democracy was greatly tested by anti-democratic elements. From biased opinions to unlawful advice, the rights of Osun people to elect those who administer their affairs at the grassroots came under grave threat,” Bisi said.
“Everything was put into stopping the election, albeit, illegally. It was a challenging moment that was reminiscent of the dark era of the military, and to our greatest delight, the Osun people rose in asserting their rights to vote and be voted for. As a party, we are very proud of the people and honour them as the heroes of democracy.
“Osun electorate has demonstrated to the whole world that authoritarianism has no place in our land and as a party, we commend their courage. We thank them for not surrendering their democratic rights despite the unimaginable force and threats that the anti-democratic deployed against them.”
Bisi also condemned the violence that occurred days before the election, calling on the security agencies to arrest one Ademoroti Adeboye.
According to the PDP Chairman, the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly tried to stop the election.
“We are greatly alarmed that the APC thugs wrought violence on innocent voters, leading to the death of a barber in Ilesa East, and injuries to many others across the state. What happened in Ilesa East LG is reprehensible and the assailants must not escape justice.
“Ajilore Ifeoluwa was just an innocent voter yet, he was shot to death by Ademoroti Adeboye (aka Germani), who is a known associate of former Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, just because he wanted to exercise his franchise.
“What is most alarming was that this incident happened right in the presence of policemen yet no effort was made to arrest the assailant who walked away freely.”
