By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Following the successful completion of the Osun Local Government Election last Saturday, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State has inaugurated the elected Council Chairmen into all the 69 Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils and Area Offices in the State.
This is even as the Governor tasked them to hit the ground running by providing adequate, quality and equitable services on a consistent basis.
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had on Saturday October 15, 2022 conducted the local government election across the State.
Inaugurating the newly elected Chairmen at the Governor’s office, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said the journey to the election was a long and worthwhile one.
He said the delay in the conduct of the election was as a result of plethora of socioeconomic and political uncertainties.
Oyetola noted that the local government election could not come earlier, considering the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on governance.
He said the pandemic was a major setback in the pace of governance for several months.
According to him, the political uncertainties posed by the transition and the need to prevent the vacuum necessitated the institution of caretakers at the Local Government level. He said the Caretaker Committee was therefore, a child of necessity for getting the political equation right once and for all.
“So, today, our State has now aligned with the practice in other states of the Federation regarding the presidential system of government at the local government level.
“Following the successful conclusion of the debate and the passage of the relevant bill into law, our Administration swung into action by conducting the local government election that produced the elected Local Chairmen, Vice-chairmen and Councillors-elect.
“The swearing in today of the elected Chairmen and Vice- chairmen signalled the end of the service of those appointed into caretaker committees at the Local Government levels across the State. Government is appreciative of their services to the State.”
Charging the newly inaugurated council Chairmen to be magnanimous in victory, Oyetola said it was incumbent on them to take a cue from his government’s penchant for prompt and proactive service delivery.
“You have all engaged in political contests and won the mandates of your people. You must reciprocate the gestures of the people by fulfilling your promises to them. This is a duty to the people, our party, democracy and good governance that must be fulfilled.
“I charge you all to be magnanimous in victory by extending hands of fellowship to your political opponents. It is the best way to harness our resources and our shared values for our collective good.
“You must be fair, just and reasonable in all your dealings, decisions and interactions with the people in accordance with your Oath of Office,” he urged.