The continued absence of local government chairmen elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 22, 2025 local government election has raised concerns over the fate of their planned assumption of office across Osun State.

Recall that the chairmen had, on Friday, June 19, 2026, declared their readiness to take over the administration of local government councils across the state, pledging to provide leadership at the grassroots level. However, days after the announcement, their failure to resume at the various council secretariats has sparked uncertainty among residents, workers, and political stakeholders.

Correspondents of Afinju 90.7FM visited several local government secretariats, including Osogbo, Olorunda, Ede South, Ede North, and Orolu, to assess the situation on Monday, June 22, 2026.

At the Osogbo Local Government Secretariat, a heavy security presence was observed amid the lingering leadership dispute over the councils. Staff members and residents who had official business at the secretariat were denied access to the premises.

Security personnel stationed at the entrance said the restriction was necessary to prevent possible clashes following moves by PDP/Accord Party-backed chairmen to resume office.

When asked when normal activities would resume at the secretariat, the officers said no specific date had been fixed for reopening.

Some council workers, who gathered a short distance away from the gate, expressed frustration over the development, saying they had been prevented from carrying out their official duties.

A similar situation played out at the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat, where security operatives also locked the gate and denied people access to the premises.

Meanwhile, a peaceful gathering reportedly took place in Olorunda on June 22, 2026, drawing community members, local leaders, and security agencies in support of social justice and environmental protection.

At the Ede South Local Government Secretariat, however, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allowed access into the premises by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were stationed at the entrance.

Read Also: Tension in Osun LG Secretariats as PDP Chairmen Move to Resume Office

An NSCDC officer, who spoke anonymously, claimed the directive given to security personnel was to restrict entry into the secretariat. He, however, expressed surprise that APC members were allowed into the premises.

Speaking with Afinju 90.7FM correspondents, the APC chairman in the local government, Kazeem Ayade, described the leadership tussle over the councils as a matter still before the court. He maintained that the chairmen elected under the APC remain the legally recognised occupants of the offices.

Tension briefly escalated when one of the reporters covering the situation was allegedly assaulted by a man identified as part of the council’s security team, despite presenting an official identification card. The situation was later resolved after the intervention of the local government chairman, Kolawole Salami.

At the Ede North Local Government Secretariat, security operatives barred both workers and visitors from entering the premises, while armed police officers maintained surveillance at the gate.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area was acting in favour of the APC. According to him, many workers deliberately stayed away from the secretariat to avoid any possible breakdown of law and order.

The source further claimed that an instruction had been issued from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) House directing workers to stay away from council premises pending further directives.

However, one of the security personnel at the scene, Abdulkareem Kamorudeen, who said he had been on duty since 6:30 a.m., denied allegations of harassment. He insisted there was no confrontation between security operatives and workers, adding that peace had been maintained throughout the period.

Another resident also appealed to the authorities to ensure peace and stability within the local government area.

In Orolu Local Government, the council secretariat remained under lock and key, with police officers stationed around the premises.

Meanwhile, the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola, had reportedly warned supporters and members of political parties, including the Accord Party, APC, ADC, and others, to stay away from the Orolu Local Government Secretariat until further notice.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Akeeb Yusuff, following an incident in which an Accord Party member was allegedly killed by suspected political thugs.

Many residents had expected the elected chairmen to resume duties at their respective councils on Monday. Their continued absence has, however, deepened uncertainty across the grassroots, with communities awaiting clarity on the status of the leadership crisis and the anticipated transfer of authority.

Stakeholders have since called for transparency, adherence to due process, and a peaceful resolution of the dispute to prevent further disruption to governance and public service delivery across Osun State.