In a dramatic turn of events, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in all 30 local government areas (LGAs) in Osun State during the local government elections held on Saturday, February 22, 2025. This victory, marking a historic sweep, was despite considerable tension and warnings from security agencies against the conduct of the election.
The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, confirmed the overwhelming victory in a press briefing held later that Saturday. According to Abioye, the electoral commission had successfully conducted the elections in all the local councils of the state, securing chairmanship and councillorship seats exclusively for the PDP.
“This is a clean sweep, and it shows the trust the people have in the leadership of our party,” Abioye said. “We followed due process and conducted the election in line with the ruling of the Osun State High Court.”
The election was held against the backdrop of a highly charged political environment. Prior to the vote, there were multiple warnings issued by both the police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to suspend the polls over security concerns. The warnings escalated following the February 10, 2025, ruling from the Court of Appeal in Akure, which had nullified a previous decision by the Federal High Court in Osogbo. The Federal High Court had earlier invalidated the tenure of APC local council chairmen in the state, a ruling which the appellate court had overturned.
However, the Osun State High Court ruling, which had ordered the holding of elections for vacant chairmanship and councillorship positions in all 30 LGAs, remained unchallenged, and OSSIEC decided to proceed with the elections.
At the same time, the situation in Osun had been fraught with violence and unrest. Prior to the election, violent clashes between members of the ruling PDP and opposition APC had claimed the lives of at least six individuals, with more injuries reported. Tensions had been high, as the state was grappling with a political rivalry between PDP Governor Ademola Adeleke and former APC Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who had also accused Adeleke’s government of attempting to hijack local councils.
The violence culminated in clashes earlier in the week, as supporters of both parties engaged in bloody confrontations in various parts of the state, including the capital city of Osogbo. The security situation had prompted the police to issue warnings against going ahead with the polls, citing fears that the election could ignite further violence.
Despite these challenges, Governor Ademola Adeleke proceeded with his voting in the Ede North Local Government Area. Following his participation in the process, the governor described the election as peaceful and successful.
“I want to commend the people of Osun for their peaceful conduct during this election,” Adeleke said after casting his vote. “I made a public appeal for a peaceful election, and today, the citizens of Osun have shown that they are committed to that. There was no violence, and this reflects the spirit of Osun State, which has always been known for its peace and harmony.”
Despite the governor’s assurance, tensions ran high behind the scenes. OSSIEC had accused the police of interfering with the electoral process by sealing off its headquarters in Osogbo, arresting personnel, and preventing election-related activities from proceeding smoothly.
“We were forced to relocate to an undisclosed location to continue our work because the police sealed our offices. We were committed to ensuring that the people’s will was represented,” Abioye said, addressing the interference by the police.
The police, however, stood by their earlier warnings and expressed concern that the elections could lead to further unrest. A police source who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that there had been heightened intelligence suggesting the possibility of violence during and after the election.
In a statement, the police said, “While we acknowledge the right of the electoral commission to conduct elections, our priority remains the safety and security of the people of Osun. We had warned of potential violence and instability, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Despite these security concerns, the PDP’s victory was undeniable. By the end of the election day, results confirmed that the PDP had clinched all 30 LGAs, securing not only the chairmanship positions but also a complete sweep of the councillorship seats. This victory comes as a significant political boost for the party, particularly after the violence that marred the weeks leading up to the election.
Political analysts have indicated that the outcome of this election could further consolidate the PDP’s grip on power in Osun State, but it also underscores the intensity of political rivalry between the PDP and APC in the region. Osun, which has traditionally been a hotbed of political competition in Nigeria, continues to witness deep political divides between the two major parties.
For his part, Governor Adeleke was quick to declare the victory as a clear mandate for his administration and for the PDP in Osun.
“This victory is not just for our party; it is a victory for democracy, for the people of Osun,” Adeleke stated. “It shows that the people trust our governance and are eager for progress. We will continue to serve them and ensure that our state remains a model of peace and prosperity.”
While the PDP celebrated its triumph, questions about the legitimacy of the election remained among the opposition. Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun have expressed doubts about the fairness of the process, alleging that the elections were marred by intimidation and undue influence from state authorities.
APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, criticized the election results, saying, “This is not democracy. It is an imposition. The entire election was carried out under a cloud of intimidation. The police and security agencies were complicit in ensuring that the PDP’s victory was a foregone conclusion.”
Nonetheless, the PDP has remained resolute in its claim to a mandate won through a fair process.
As Osun State begins to look forward to the aftermath of the election, it is clear that the political landscape is poised for continued contestation. The PDP’s clean sweep of the local councils may be seen as a significant victory, but it has also set the stage for more intense political battles in the future.
