JUST IN: Osun Governor Restricts Vehicular Movement, Prepares State for LG Poll

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced a restriction on vehicular movement across the state as part of preparations for the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

The restriction will take effect from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Friday, security agencies were directed to strictly enforce the movement restriction.

According to the statement, only eligible voters, accredited journalists, and civil society organizations involved in election monitoring would be allowed to move freely during the restriction period. Governor Adeleke emphasized that the decision was taken to prevent the infiltration of hoodlums who might seek to disrupt the election. 

The statement read, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.

“The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.

“Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.

“He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organisations for the continued peace and security of Osun State.”

On February 10, the Court of Appeal in Akure ruled on a case involving the dismissal of All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen and councillors who were sacked after Adeleke assumed office in 2022.

Due to divergent interpretations of the judgment, members of both the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed while attempting to take control of local government secretariats.

The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.