Heavily-armed security personnel were noticed at strategic points on major roads in Osogbo and major towns in Osun State on Monday.
There had been contention between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Court of Appeal judgement in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgement of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return to their offices.
However, the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) announced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates winners of the 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.
The chairmen and the councillors were sworn in on Sunday by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House, Osogbo, advised the chairmen to stay from the council areas to avoid clash with the opposition party.
“An Osun State High Court has affirmed the vacancies in both the chairmanship and Councillorship positions in all the local government areas of Osun State before your elections on Feb. 22.
“We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.
“Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state directed its “reinstated chairmen” to resume in their respective local government areas on Monday.
The party stated this in a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo on Sunday.
The statement said that the purported directive that the chairmen and councillors should not report in their council areas was not from the party.
In Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife East, Ife Central and Ifelodun Local Governments Areas on Monday, security personnel were seen on major roads and at the entrances of the council secretariats.
In Osogbo, there were security presence at the stadium, Ajegunle, Omo West axis and Orisunbare area.
Some security personnel were also sighted at Asubiaro, Olaiya, Immigration junction, Ataoja police junction and State secretariat junction.
Roadblocks were mounted at the places mentioned, which caused some traffic gridlock while some cars were pulled out of line for searches.
At Osogbo Local Government Secretariat, Oke-Baale, the APC Local Government Chairman and councillors reported to their offices as heavy police presence could be seen within and around the council secretariat.
Armed security personnel were stationed at the entrance of the secretariat with roadblocks mounted close to the secretariat.
No movement of persons was seen or observed in and out of the premises but some cars belonging to politicians were seen parked within the compound.
Shops around the secretariat were under lock, and there were no activities around the premises.
Also, there was security presence noticed at Olorunda Local Government Secretariat at Igbonna and the Old Garage area, however, the gate of the local government secretariat was locked.
Also, security operatives were on guard at Ife Central Local Government, Ajebandele Area in Ile-Ife.
The security personnel were at the gate of the local government located on the Ife/Ibadan Express Road, in Ile-Ife.
Though the gate of the local government was open, the place was deserted, and no movement was noticed.
Also, at Ife East Local Government, Oke-Ogbo, in Ile-Ife, the place was guarded by the police who were there to maintain law and order in the area.
However, the gate was open, but there were no officials of the council within the premises.
Also, people were seen going about their daily businesses without interruption and the town remained peaceful.
Also at Ifelodun Local Government, Ikirun, road blocks were mounted by security personnel, while the entrance of the local government was shut.
