The ‘state of the living spring’ has been embroiled in fresh political clashes over an Appeal Court judgement allegedly reinstating sacked Local Government chairmen across the 30 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to reports, the Appeal Court judgement delivered on Monday, February 10 had been a bone of contention between Governor Ademola Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
Adeleke, on Sunday, called on President Bola Tinubu to warn Oyetola against unleashing mayhem in the state, starting from today (Monday).
But in a swift response, Oyetola, in a press statement on Sunday, refuted Adeleke’s claim that he was plotting to destabilise Osun State, saying his antecedents, pedigree and track records of public service in the last 15 years do not support Adeleke’s claim.
“For the four years he governed Osun, he gave a good account of himself as a man of peace, a respecter of the rule of law and one not given to violence. If he is given to violence, he would certainly have fought back violently in 2022 when was brazenly rigged out,” a statement by Oyetola’s media team said.
The statement said anyone accusing Oyetola of violence “needs to have his/her head properly examined.”
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke accused Oyetola of orchestrating a plan to enforce the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division of February 10, which allowed the appeal filed by the local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the October 15, 2022 election.
The elected LG officials were sacked by a decision of Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of an Osogbo Federal High Court on November 25, 2022.
But following the Court of Appeal’s decision, they have been angling to return, a situation that did not sit well with the Adeleke-led administration, which has fixed February 22 to conduct a fresh LG poll.
Irewole LG chair, others killed in mayhem across 30 LGs
Meanwhile, Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass was reportedly killed by hoodlums loyal to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after taking over the council secretariat in Ikire.
NewsClick Nigeria gathered that in early hours on Monday, Abass, led other sacked council officials to take over in line with the court’s verdict and reportedly entered the Secretariat when hoodlums allegedly working for the PDP stormed the Secretariat to dislodge them.
It was gathered that there was an exchange of gunshots during which Abass was killed while several others were injured.
Some hoodlums also stormed the highway shooting sporadically into the air, creating tension in the community and forcing motorist to make detour to avoid being caught in the cross fire.
“The thugs came out from the building opposite the Secretariat, wielding gun. They deliberately targeted the council chairman. Many surrounded him and did not allow him to escape from the scene and killed him”, a source revealed.
The Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs in the state, Mr Soji Ajeigbe claimed that two PDP members, Ege and Igara, were killed by gun-wielding thugs working for the APC.
“Apart from those killed, six others were killed while they were attempting to take-Over the Secretariat. We have deposited the bodies in the morgue while the injured were receiving treatment at the hospital”, he said.
Two people were also reportedly shot in Boripe Local Government Area. According to reports, the APC executives resumed office early on Monday, celebrating their reinstatement and boasting about reclaiming control of the council.
However, as they left the council premises, they were ambushed by PDP members, leading to gunfire that left two people injured.
Security operatives from the Amotekun Corps later arrived at the scene, but APC members reportedly resisted their intervention.
In Osogbo, APC members took over the secretariat at Oke-Baale area but after a while, an aide of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Special Adviser on Political Matter, Muniru Raji mobilised against APC members which were resisted.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye later mobilised more members of PDP to the council which chased APC from the council. There was gunshots at the council when they clash resulting to shooting of members.
One person was injured during the clash in Osogbo Local Government Area.
In Ife Central, APC members resumed the council and PDP protested against the action causing heavy gridlock along Ibadan/Ikire expressway.
There was an uneasy calm in Obokun council as both APC and PDP members were standing in front of the council which is under lock and keys.
In Irewole, APC members were resisted from resuming to office as members of PDP stood at the council to prevent any invasion.
The former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye led resumption of the APC council executives into the office in Ilesa East.
Also, ex-lawmaker, Babatunde Komolafe led the resumption of APC executives in Atakunmosa West.
In Olorunda, there was heavy security at the entrance of the secretariat with scores of PDP members led by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Gani Olaoluwa.
Gunshots were heard at the gate of Osogbo Central Local Government Area, Oke Baale, Osogbo, on Monday as members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress clashed while attempting to enter the council secretariat.
NewsClick Nigeria is still monitoring events in the state.
