KEY POINTS
- All Osun council secretariats fell under APC control as they relied on a Court of Appeal judgment.
- Governor Adeleke labels the incident as a “rape of democracy” and holds the police responsible for this act.
- The House of Representatives conducts investigations while requesting security forces to intervene in the current situation.
All Progressives Congress (APC) elected chairmen along with councillors took control of the local government council secretariats throughout Osun State while the crisis escalated further.
After a Court of Appeal decision APC officials took office but Governor Ademola Adeleke states his officials remain dismissed according to a previous Federal High Court decision.
Violence erupts amid political standoff
The secretariat takeover dispute resulted in the death of six individuals including Irewole Local Government Area Council Chairman on Monday. In spite of violent conflicts APC officials successfully took control of Obokun as well as Ife-East and Odo-Otin and Olorunda council areas.
The chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Abiodun Idowu announced that local government accounts received a nationwide freeze to stop unwanted activities by non-government personnel.
All APC-led councils expressed willingness to unite with Governor Adeleke’s administration to drive state development according to the ALGON chairman.
Governor Adeleke along with the PDP and legislative members make a staunch rejection
Governor Adeleke labeled the APC movement as a “democratic rape” and accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of backing unlawful actions. The state of Osun will carry forth its local government elections on Saturday regardless of the ongoing disturbances.
Adewale Egbedun who serves as the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly spoke against the takeover declaring it invalid according to the established laws. Sunday Bisi who serves as PDP party chairman launched an accusation targeting an assassination plot against Governor Adeleke.
APC officials disregard claims of assassination
The APC state chairman Tajudeen Lawal dismissed allegations of assassination plans by labeling them “ridiculous” while requesting evidence. The House of Representatives formed a special committee to resolve the crisis between the state governor and the police. The lawmakers asked IGP and other security agencies to immediately achieve peace restoration in Osun.
