By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The Osun State Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the growing political crisis in the state by directing the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police to restore law and order immediately.
The ongoing crisis stems from conflicting interpretations of a Court of Appeal judgment regarding the sacking of elected local government chairmen in the state.
The appellate court recently nullified an earlier judgment of the High Court, which had ruled that the tenure of the local government chairmen was illegal. However, the court did not make a consequential order reinstating them.
The caucus warned against the threat of political thugs destabilizing Osun State, stressing that the situation was rapidly deteriorating and could lead to widespread violence if not urgently addressed.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Bamidele Salam, the leader of the Osun caucus in the House of Representatives, cautioned against what he described as the All Progressives Congress (APC) ‘s dangerous attempt to forcefully take over local government councils in the state.
He urged the President to advise the APC leadership in Osun to abandon what he termed an illegal and futile mission.
Salam argued that the ruling did not grant the APC-backed officials any legal right to reclaim their offices.
“Aside from the Appeal Court decision nullifying the High Court judgment in the PDP’s case, the appellate court dismissed a similar suit filed by the APC concerning the Action Peoples Party. The APC had abandoned the case, so no ruling was given in their favour,” he said.
Despite this, he alleged that the former council chairmen, whose election was previously nullified, had forcefully reoccupied the councils.
According to him, this move, rather than being legally justified, was a desperate attempt to take control of the councils even though the APC has already chosen to participate in fresh local government elections scheduled for February 22.
The caucus further alleged that the forceful takeover of the local government secretariats had led to violent clashes across the state.
PDP members and local government workers in several councils—including Isokan, Boripe, Boluwaduro, Ayedaade, and Ilesa—were reportedly attacked, with security agents allegedly aiding some of the aggressors.
Salam expressed concern that the situation could escalate into full-blown anarchy, as law and order had already begun to break down in various parts of the state.
“What we are seeing now is a direct invitation to chaos. Political thugs, emboldened by certain forces, are attempting to take the law into their own hands. Osun State will descend into crisis if this is not curtailed immediately,” he said.
Reports emerged yesterday that several people were injured in different local government areas as clashes erupted between APC and PDP supporters. The affected councils include Ayedaade, Boripe, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ila, Isokan, Irewole, Obokun, and Atakumosa.
The caucus also alleged that at Boripe Local Government, PDP members holding a meeting were attacked by a group that included armed police officers and political thugs.
“At Boluwaduro Local Government, a notorious thug known for his allegiance to the APC allegedly led assaults on PDP members, shooting sporadically across major towns in the area,” Salam said.
He further alleged that at Ayedaade Local Government, an APC-affiliated group shot a PDP member dead, leaving several others wounded.
At Ilesa East, he said that PDP supporters were attacked with machetes in a brutal attempt to seize control of the local government secretariat.
The caucus alleged security agencies’ complicity in the forceful takeover of local government offices. Salam accused security personnel of taking sides in the political crisis and enabling the violent invasion of council offices.
“There is clear evidence that these illegal activities are being carried out with the support of some security personnel.
“Despite a subsisting court judgment affirming their removal, these officials, aided by thugs, have been allowed to return to office unlawfully. The role of security agencies in this unlawful occupation raises serious questions about their neutrality and commitment to upholding law and order,” he said.
Salam alleged that the Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, had masterminded the takeover of the local government secretariats across the state in connivance with security agencies.
He warned that any continued interference by security forces would only deepen the crisis and threaten Osun State peace.
The caucus called on President Tinubu to take decisive action to prevent further escalation of violence in the state.
“We are calling on Mr President to direct the Inspector General of Police to restore law and order in Osun State immediately,” Salam said.
He also urged the President to instruct the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General of the Federation to properly advise the APC leadership in Osun on the futility of their actions.
“Those who seek to seize control of local government councils unlawfully must be reminded of the legal consequences of their actions,” he added.
The caucus reaffirmed its support for the Osun State Government, which is led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, stating that the ongoing local government election process should be allowed to proceed without unlawful interference.
The caucus maintained that removing the previous council chairmen was legally justified, as their election violated the 2022 Electoral Act.
“It is baffling that the same APC which has purchased forms, conducted primaries, and actively campaigned for the upcoming local government elections is now attempting to reinstate its sacked officials forcefully. This contradiction underscores the lawlessness of their actions,” Salam said.
The caucus emphasized that the continued unrest could lead to a full-scale crisis if left unchecked.
“We want to make it clear that as representatives of the people, we stand firmly by the Osun State Government in defence of democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
Members of the Osun caucus include Sen. Akogun Olalere Oyewumi (Deputy Senate Minority Leader), Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Sen. Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunnla, Bamidele Salam (Osun House of Reps Caucus Leader), Busayo Oluwole Oke, Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro, Clement Akanni Olohunwa, Soji Adetunji, Adebayo Morufu Adewale, Mudashiru Lukman, Lanre Oladebo and Sanya Omirin.
