Osun LG Crisis : AGF, IGP Owe Osun People Sincere Apologies – OSSIEC Boss, Abioye

The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Hashim Abioye, has said the that the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun owe the people of the state sincere apologies.

Blaze Newz recalls that the duo had advised Osun government to instruct the OSSIEC to put on hold the conduct of February 22 local government election.

Abioye in a statement released today said “AGF and IGP owe the people of Osun State sincere apologies. They can make good their position by offering good advice and instruction conscientiously and appropriately.

Speaking on the February election, the OSSIEC chairman said with the latest verdict of the Akure Court of Appeal ” This translated to the fact that as the time this Commission under my leadership commenced the process of the February 2025 local government election throughout the period of the election, vacancies did exist in Osun local council political offices.

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He noted that OSSIEC constitutional mandate is to organise and supervise conduct of local government elections at the due time.

This mandate , he explained was effectively and responsibly discharged by giving a notice of election in full compliance with relevant electoral laws and in total fidelity to applicable regulations and guidelines.

“What appeared to be an outlandish postulation and a deliberate manipulation, some saboteurs made attempts to frustrate the conduct of the election by forcing on us a bizzare situation- a false claim of reinstatement and a bogus claim of “NO VACANCY”.

“The dangerous actors had twisted the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10th February, 2025, by importing into same what was not therein contained.

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“They cleverly invented the word “reinstatement”, then they enlisted and unfortunately got the backing of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun who collaborated together to jeopardize the process of the local government election which was commenced since about a year before these manipulative theatrics.

“I am glad to inform you that the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has today re-affirmed that the local government election conducted by this Commission in 2022 under the immediate past administration was null and void, as such the acclaimed beneficiaries of the said election benefitted nothing.

“This translated to the fact that as the time this Commission under my leadership commenced the process of the February 2025 local government election throughout the period of the election, vacancies did exist in Osun local council political offices.

He noted that OSSIEC constitutional mandate is to organise and supervise conduct of local government elections at the due time.

This mandate , he explained was effectively and responsibly discharged by giving a notice of election in full compliance with relevant electoral laws and in total fidelity to applicable regulations and guidelines.

“What appeared to be an outlandish postulation and a deliberate manipulation, some saboteurs made attempts to frustrate the conduct of the election by forcing on us a bizzare situation- a false claim of reinstatement and a bogus claim of “NO VACANCY”.

“The dangerous actors had twisted the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10th February, 2025, by importing into same what was not therein contained. They cleverly invented the word “reinstatement”, then they enlisted and unfortunately got the backing of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun who collaborated together to jeopardize the process of the local government election which was commenced since about a year before these manipulative theatrics.

“This has been the situation, up until today when the same Court of Appeal gave its verdict which in crystal clear terms implied that there was no reinstatement. This to us was a vindication of our conviction and a validation of our action, all along.

“Our commitment to due process and rule of law was turned against us by political actors unfortunately backed by some super political powers and persons in authority.

“We suffered condemnations, tribulations and accusations in the hands of manipulators. Alhamdulillah today, the siege is over.

“Let me reiterate it that our products of 22nd February, 2025 are the only legitimate officials who are to function as political heads of the respective Osun local councils.”