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| Davido’s Father’s Town Tense as Three Killed in Osun Local Government Crisis |
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating a crisis set to unfold on Monday.
The governor alleged that Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, is working with security agencies to enforce a controversial court order that seeks to reinstate sacked local government chairmen.
According to Adeleke, the former governor is reportedly collaborating with the state’s Commissioner of Police, the Director of DSS, and the Commandant of NSCDC, among others, to destabilize the state. He made this revelation during a press conference held in the state capital on Sunday.
Governor Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Plot
Adeleke claimed that the court order in question does not exist and is merely being used as a tool to incite chaos.
I regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr. Gboyega Oyetola has finalized plans to cause mayhem in Osun State starting from Monday," the governor stated.
Governor Calls for Presidential Intervention
Adeleke further alleged that the former governor is illegally directing security operatives to enforce an unlawful directive, leveraging his influence as the president’s nephew.
"I am raising this alarm before my people are harmed or killed," he emphasized.
The governor has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct security agencies in Osun not to obey Oyetola’s directives, stressing that the court order in question does not reinstate the former local government chairmen.
Additionally, he urged the President to direct the National Security Adviser (NSA) to verify the authenticity of the court ruling in order to prevent unnecessary unrest in the state.
Three Killed in Osun Local Government Crisis
Tragedy struck in Osun State as political tensions escalated following a court ruling that sacked local government chairmen and councillors. Reports confirm that two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost their lives in Boripe Local Government Area, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman of Ayedire Local Government also died on Monday.
Court Ruling Sparks Political Unrest
Adeyemi Fatai, a local government chairman in Osun, told BBC Yoruba that the court had ordered them to resume office.
We were elected in 2022, but when Governor Ademola Adeleke assumed office, he stopped us. Now, the court has ruled in our favor, and we are back to work, Fatai stated.
Similarly, Ayo Toyosi, the chairman of Ayedaade Local Government, issued a warning to local government workers, stating that anyone who refuses to return to office would lose their job.
The Supreme Court judgment has reinstated us, and we have resumed our duties, Toyosi declared.
Security Agencies Move to Restore Order
As tensions rise, the Osun State Police Command has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore peace.
Police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives to prevent further violence. However, she did not comment on the reported deaths during the unrest.
Osun Political Crisis: Court Judgment Sparks Tension as APC, PDP Battle for LGAs
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| Osun Political Crisis: Court Judgment Sparks Tension as APC, PDP Battle for LGAs |
The ongoing political turmoil in Osun State stems from a contentious court ruling that has reignited a battle for control over local government councils. The crisis traces back to the tenure of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who, after losing his re-election bid in July 2022, conducted local government elections in October 2022. The All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated the polls, securing all local government seats.
However, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action People's Party (APP) challenged the legitimacy of these elections in court. By November 2022, both parties secured favorable rulings that led to the removal of APC-led chairmen from office—just weeks before Governor Ademola Adeleke was sworn in on November 28, 2022.
Appeal Court Ruling and Conflicting Interpretations
Since their removal, the sacked chairmen and APC leadership pursued legal avenues to reclaim their positions. On February 10, 2025, an appeal court struck out the PDP’s case. However, Governor Adeleke maintains that this ruling does not automatically reinstate the ousted chairmen, as another judgment obtained by the APP against the APC-led councils remains valid.
Governor Adeleke has urged the APC to obtain a separate ruling that explicitly reinstates their members rather than relying on the appeal court's dismissal of the PDP case. Meanwhile, the Osun State government has scheduled fresh local government elections for February 22, 2025, escalating tensions as the APC seeks to reinstate its sacked officials before the polls.
Davido Weighs In
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has publicly voiced his concerns about the unfolding situation. The Grammy-nominated artist took to social media, calling on Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, to uphold the rule of law. Davido further vowed to continue posting the commissioner’s picture daily until he ensures justice is served.
APC’s Response
In response to the allegations, former Governor Oyetola dismissed claims that he intends to destabilize the state. He referenced his 15 years in public service, stating that his commitment to Osun's stability remains steadfast.
The APC Osun State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, criticized Governor Adeleke, accusing him of misrepresenting the appeal court ruling. According to the APC, the initial judgment that removed their chairmen was struck down, effectively returning the situation to its original state, meaning the sacked officials should resume their duties.
Regarding the APP case, the APC argues that the ruling merely dismissed the appeal due to procedural lapses and does not affirm the PDP-led government's authority to keep the chairmen out of office. Consequently, the APC insists that fresh elections are unnecessary, as the reinstatement of the ousted chairmen restores governance at the local level.
PDP's Stand
The PDP, on the other hand, has maintained that the former APC-led local government officials cannot return to office. They argue that after Osun residents rejected Oyetola in 2022, he conducted a rushed election that failed to follow legal procedures.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called on the APC to refrain from instigating violence and urged President Bola Tinubu not to interfere, emphasizing that state governments operate independently of federal control.
The party also urged security agencies, particularly the Inspector General of Police, to hold APC leaders accountable for any unrest, stating that the deaths and violence linked to the crisis should be investigated.
NLC Declares Strike Over Rising Tensions
Amid escalating tensions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared a strike across Osun State, citing concerns over the safety of workers due to the unfolding crisis.
In a memo signed by NLC Osun Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, the union directed all members to stay away from local government offices statewide.
"The NLC is an apolitical organization, but we cannot allow our members to work in an environment where their safety is not guaranteed. Effective Monday, February 17, 2025, all LGA staff must withdraw their services until further notice," the statement read.
Similarly, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Chairman, Comrade Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, aligned with the NLC's stance, affirming their commitment to prioritizing workers' security.
The political landscape in Osun State remains volatile as both parties prepare for the upcoming local government elections. With accusations flying and legal interpretations conflicting, all eyes are on the judiciary, security agencies, and political leaders to ensure peace and stability in the state. Whether the courts, political stakeholders, and security forces can prevent further escalation remains to be seen.
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