Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has advised residents to steer clear of local government secretariats following escalating political violence in the state that has left at least five people dead.
Adeleke stated that only security personnel should access the LGA secretariats, as workers are currently on strike.
On Monday, clashes erupted at several local government secretariats between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The confrontation, which involved gunfire, led to chaos, with residents fleeing for safety. At least two individuals were reportedly shot dead during the incident.
The unrest stems from a court of appeal ruling on the status of sacked council chairpersons and councillors. While the PDP contends that the February 10 judgment in Akure did not reinstate the sacked officials, the APC insists otherwise.
In November 2022, Governor Adeleke directed LGA heads and area council development heads to assume control of their councils, citing a federal high court ruling that nullified the LGA election that brought the chairpersons and councillors to office as illegal.
Adeleke has also accused his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating plans to incite violence in the state starting Monday.
‘FIVE PDP MEMBERS KILLED’
In a statement released by Olawale Rasheed, chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Adeleke said five PDP members were killed during the violence that broke out at LGA secretariats on Monday.
The governor accused APC members of the “illegal takeover” of the LGA secretariats and causing mayhem in 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 reads.
“I equally condole families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. The PDP lost five members, with several others wounded.
“Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed.”
