The Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced restrictions on vehicular movement across the state in preparation for the upcoming local government elections.
The restriction from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday, is aimed at ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free electoral process and will be enforced the elections until the polls are concluded.
The state governor through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, subsequently directed the security agencies to enforce the restriction.
Adeleke has advised residents to plan their movements accordingly and to cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order during the elections.
The restriction is expected to prevent the movement of unauthorized persons and vehicles, thereby reducing the risk of electoral violence and malpractice.
The local government elections are scheduled to take place across the state, with voters expected to cast their ballots for chairmen and councilors.
The statement reads, “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.”
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has assured residents of a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
Recall that a dispute had erupted between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, following a Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated APC local government chairmen and councillors who had been previously dismissed.
However, the PDP argues that the ruling does not explicitly reinstate these officials.
As both parties attempted to seize control of local government secretariats across the state, clashes erupted, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving several others injured, according to police reports.
