The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has commended the people of the state for boycotting what it described as an illegal local government council election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, on Saturday.

The party expressed satisfaction with the massive boycott of the election across the 30 local government council areas and Modakeke Area Office. It stated that the reaction of residents to what it called a charade promoted by the government was proof that the people of Osun are law-abiding, democratic, and committed to the rule of law. This, the APC claimed, stood in sharp contrast to the actions of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who, despite security advisories urging him to suspend the controversial poll, chose to proceed, demonstrating what the party called infamy, perfidy, and disobedience to the law of the land.

The opposition APC argued that the decision of Osun citizens to stay away from the sham election further reinforced their commitment to equity, fairness, and justice as the foundation of any democratic process.

In a statement signed by Kola Olabisi, the APC Director of Media and Information, the party said: “We are pleased with the conduct of the citizens and residents of Osun, who abandoned what can best be described as a ‘naming of imbeciles’ called an election today. We monitored the process and are delighted at how the people boycotted it.

“Everything failed the unpleasantly partisan OSSIEC today. Elections did not take place in most parts of the state. In a few areas, such as Ede, the governor’s hometown, where the electoral commission attempted to save face, the process was shambolic. No election materials were distributed to OSSIEC local government offices, and security operatives exposed pre-thumbprinted ballot papers that had been stuffed before reaching the selected polling units.

“Furthermore, there was no voter register at the few polling units where an electoral drama was staged, including the governor’s polling unit, where he voted without accreditation.”

APC also expressed sympathy over the reported loss of life in Irojo, Ilesa, describing it as an unnecessary tragedy caused by what it called a cosmetic and inconsequential election. It argued that the Appeal Court in Akure had already ruled on 10 February 2025 that there was no vacancy in Osun’s local government administration.

The party also commended security agencies, particularly the police and the Department of State Services, DSS, for maintaining order and preventing what it described as PDP violence and brigandage.

However, it called for an investigation into the death of an unidentified young man allegedly shot in Irojo, Ilesa, as well as the arrest of individuals found with firearms in Boripe Local Government Council Area.

The statement further read: “It is regrettable that, despite security agencies’ advice to suspend the election, OSSIEC ignored the counsel, leading to a security breach.

“Once again, we salute the people of Osun State for proving to the power mongers in the state that they stand for the rule of law and not for lawlessness. Their patriotic decision to boycott the election is significant and will be remembered in the state’s history.

“We thank the people for standing by our chairmen and councillors, who have been validly reinstated by the Court of Appeal.

“As previously stated, the shenanigan called an election is none of our business. By the grace of God, our council chairmen will return to their duty posts on Monday as usual.

“We assure the people of Osun State of good governance at the grassroots level.”