Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday will proceed as planned, despite a formal appeal from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urging a suspension of the polls.

In a statement released on Friday, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, emphasized that democracy must operate within the rule of law and that no individual has the power to override judicial decisions.

“My advice to all parties, including local and national stakeholders, is to abide by democratic norms,” the statement read. “As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help. The election will hold, and the outcome will accelerate development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state.”

The AGF had on Thursday issued a statement cautioning Adeleke against proceeding with the election, stating that it would be unconstitutional and legally invalid. Fagbemi referenced a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had nullified the previous local government elections held under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

According to the AGF, the court’s decision effectively reinstated the sacked council chairmen, whose tenure remains valid until October 2025. Any new election, he warned, would not only be unlawful but would also constitute a “gross violation of the Constitution,” which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold.

Fagbemi further cautioned against any action that could lead to unrest, urging the governor to respect the judiciary’s ruling and prioritize maintaining peace in the state.

Despite the AGF’s warning, Governor Adeleke remains resolute in his stance, setting the stage for a potential legal and political standoff in Osun State.