Caretaker committees chairmen and members running Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in Osun State have all resigned their positions and vacated offices.
The 69 caretaker chairmen and 332 members were appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke in July last year.
Letters of resignation of the chairmen were flying around on social media on Wednesday, with many suggesting they may have intentions to contest in the forthcoming primaries of thr ruling People’s Democratic Party.
In one of the letter sighted by InsightMedia, chairman of Irepodun local government, Ilobu, Sikiru Ajibade revealed that his intention was to contest the forthcoming elections.
Ajibade said, “I hereby announce my resignation as the Caretaker Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Ilobu, effective today. 17th of July ’24. This decision comes in respect to democratic principle & in compliance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“My resignation is motivated by my desire to contest in the forthcoming local government election as I am deeply committed to serving the good people of Irepodun, Ilobu, with integrity, dedication, and a renewed vision for our community’s growth and development.”
Also the chairman of Odo-Otin local government, Adewale Adeyinka said he wants to pursue ambition to serve people more.
The letter addressed to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, dated July 17, 2024, partly read, “It is with a sense of duty and respect for our democratic principles that I write to tender my resignation from my position as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for Odo-Otin Local Government, effective immediately.
“As I move on to pursue further opportunities to serve my people, I want to assure you that the good work we have started will not end.
“I remain committed to supporting the growth and development of Odo-Otin Local Government in any capacity I can.”
When contacted for comment on Wednesday, the immediate past chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Osun State, Sarafadeen Awotunde, said all the 69 caretaker chairmen and 332 members drawn from different wards across the state have resigned their positions since the Supreme Court has declared them as illegal office occupants.
Asked to confirm the resignation of the 332 caretaker members and the chairmen, Awotunde said, “Since we already called them caretaker, I don’t think there is any appropriate word to use than that they resigned. Nobody sacked them.
“Caretakers have temporary time to spend. It means their time is over. If you look at it critically, you will see that the Supreme Court has given a verdict. So whatever is called caretaker now is illegal. So, there is nothing like a caretaker in Nigeria again.”
In Osun State, there are 30 local government areas, 32 local council development authorities, 6 area councils and one administrative office.
The last set of caretaker committee chairmen and members were appointed by Adeleke in August 2023 and their tenure of office was extended by 6 months in February 2024.
