- Deaths, Injured Reported
By Abiola Olawale
Osun State descended into chaos on Monday as violence erupted across multiple local government areas (LGAs) following attempts to purportedly reinstate local government chairmen and councillors into office.
Reports show that those being reinstated into office are mainly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This development has, on Monday, triggered a wave of crisis in Osun state.
This crisis, according to reports has its roots in a prolonged political and judicial dispute between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition APC, which expectedly escalated tensions and resulted in fatalities, injuries, and widespread fear among residents.
The New Diplomat reports that the situation reflects deeper issues of political rivalry, battle for control of the political soul of Osun state and judicial interpretation.
Checks reveal that the crisis escalated following conflicting judicial rulings regarding the legitimacy of local government officials elected during the October 15, 2022, local government elections under the administration of the immediate past Governor of Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, an APC member.
In November 2022, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the elections, thereby sacking the elected chairmen and councillors, who were predominantly APC members.
This decision was, however, challenged, and on February 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Akure ruled in favour of the sacked officials, leading to claims by the APC that the judgment had reinstated them.
However, the Osun State government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State contested the interpretation, arguing that the Appeal Court did not explicitly reinstate the officials but merely struck out a related PDP case for want of evidence.
The state government, through its Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, and Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, maintained that the sacked officials had no legal basis to resume office.
This disagreement over judicial interpretation set the stage for the violent confrontations on February 17, 2025, as APC officials attempted to reclaim their positions ahead of the scheduled February 22, 2025, local government council elections.
The New Diplomat also reports violence began early on Monday as allegedly reinstated APC local Council chairmen and councillors, supported by their followers, attempted to resume at their various office at across Osun State.
Reports reveal that these officials arrived at their respective offices around 8:00 AM, with some chanting victory songs and accompanied by security operatives to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
However, their efforts were met with fierce resistance, leading to widespread clashes, gunfire, and fatalities. At several LGAs, including Osogbo, Olorunda, and Boluwaduro, armed hoodlums, allegedly invaded council secretariats and began shooting sporadically to prevent APC officials from assuming office.
Residents, especially those living near the secretariats, were thrown into panic, with many pupils and students fleeing back home as drivers deserted the affected areas.
In Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe LGA and hometown of former Governor Oyetola, the reinstated APC chairman reportedly assumed duty under tight security.
Similarly, in Atakunmosa West and Ayedaade LGAs, APC sacked council men allegedly resumed without significant hindrances.
However, reports show that the erupted violence on Monday has resulted in at least five confirmed deaths, including a former council chairman and four others. In Boripe LGA, two PDP members, identified as Damilare and Taye, were allegedly affected.
Also, APC claimed that three of its members, including a councillor from Olaoluwa LGA and another from Isokan LGA, were allegedly affected by shootings from alleged hoodlums.
In response to the escalating violence, heavily armed police officers have been deployed to all council secretariats across the state to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
At secretariats in Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo, police conducted checks on individuals entering and exiting the premises, while National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) officials assisted in identifying legitimate staff members.
