The situation in Osun State erupted yesterday when fired local government chairmen and councillors returned to various councils, defying Governor Ademola Adeleke’s shutdown order.
The governor ordered the councils’ closure on Monday following violent skirmishes between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which killed six persons.
Adeleke dismissed the chairmen who had been elected during the reign of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, sparking a legal struggle. A recent Court of Appeal ruling reinstated them, prompting their attempted return on Monday, which was met with violent resistance from PDP members.
On Wednesday, some of the fired chairmen defied the governor’s directive and invaded their respective council secretariats. Reports from many councils, including Ilesa West, Obokun, Ejigbo, Iwo, Ife Central, Ife East, and Ede, showed strong opposition from PDP members.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has accused the IGP of working with the APC to enforce what he calls a “illegal” court decision. Speaking to British diplomats accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, he claimed that security forces helped the APC seize control of the councils.
However, APC chieftain Remi Omowaiye denied the allegations, accusing Adeleke of provoking the controversy. “The court’s ruling was obvious. “Our people were supposed to return to the councils, but PDP thugs resisted,” he stated in a television interview.
In response to the development, the House of Representatives has requested Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, to restore peace in the state. The House also decided to form an ad hoc committee to study the problem and report back within a week.
At Tuesday’s plenary, parliamentarians expressed worry about the February 17 violence, which occurred when fired council members attempted to reclaim their positions. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) and seven other MPs, stated that Governor Adeleke warned of a security concern on February 16, but violence still occurred. The MPs cautioned that enabling political actors to seek self-help could create a dangerous precedent.
In a related incident, the Osun State House of Assembly denounced the APC chairmen’s forced takeover of the councils and urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene. Speaker Adewale Egbedun accused security officers of aiding the APC’s antics and requested the IGP to be impartial.