Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed residents to avoid local government (LGA) secretariats across the state following escalating political violence. In his statement, Adeleke emphasized that only security agencies should be allowed access to the secretariats, as the workers are currently on strike.
The violence erupted on Monday when supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed at various LGA secretariats. The confrontation turned deadly, with gunshots fired and at least two individuals confirmed dead. The situation prompted local residents to flee the area in fear for their safety.
The crisis traces its origins to a recent court of appeal judgment regarding the status of the sacked chairpersons and councillors of the LGAs. The PDP maintains that the February 10 decision did not reinstate the council officials elected in 2022, while the APC claims the judgment reinstated them.
The governor’s directive stems from the conflict over control of local government leadership. In November 2022, Adeleke had ordered the heads of the LGAs and area council development areas in the state to assume control following a federal high court ruling, which deemed the election that brought the chairpersons and councillors to office illegal.
Earlier, Adeleke accused his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, of allegedly inciting violence in the state. The governor claimed that Oyetola planned to unleash chaos starting Monday.
According to a statement from Adeleke’s Chief Press Secretary, Olawale Rasheed, the governor condemned the violence, stating that five PDP members were killed in the clashes at the LGA secretariats. He also accused APC members of attempting an “illegal takeover” of the secretariats, fueling the turmoil across the state.
“I therefore direct all law-abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats, especially as they are expected to be under lock and key,” the statement read.
Adeleke offered condolences to the families of the victims, revealing that two of the deceased were from Iragbiji in Boripe local government, two others from Ola Oluwa local government, and one from Ikire. He called for an immediate halt to the violence, stressing the need to prevent further bloodshed.
The governor’s response follows ongoing tensions in Osun as political factions continue to clash over local government leadership, raising concerns over the state’s political stability and security.
