Osun LG: APC Petitions Security Agencies Over PDP’s Alleged Plot

0
83

The ongoing crisis over local government leadership in Osun State deepened on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) petitioned security agencies, accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating plans to disrupt peace across the state.

In a formal petition submitted to both the Osun State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS), the APC Chairman in the state, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the PDP was recruiting armed thugs to launch attacks on local government secretariats and political functionaries across Osun. The letter, dated June 16, 2025, and signed by the APC’s State Legal Adviser, Adegoke Ogunsola, also implicated key state officials in the alleged plot.

Among those named were the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Kolapo Alimi; the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Mr. Hashim Abioye; and the Governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Olawale Rasheed. The APC claimed these individuals were working in concert on behalf of the state government to destabilize local administration through violent means.

Lawal cited past incidents to support his claims, particularly referencing the violent clash that occurred on February 17, 2025, during which reinstated local government officials were allegedly attacked by suspected government-backed thugs. The assault, according to Lawal, led to the brutal killing of Mr. Remi Abass, a former chairman of Irewole Local Government.

Calling for swift action, the APC chairman urged security operatives to thoroughly investigate the alleged incitement and prevent a breakdown of law and order. He further demanded that strategic security measures be deployed across all local government councils and area offices in the state to protect APC members and elected officials.

In response to the allegations, the PDP dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking on behalf of the party, PDP’s Osun State spokesperson, Mr. Oladele Bamiji, accused the APC of attempting to fabricate chaos in order to push for a state of emergency.

Bamiji stated that Governor Ademola Adeleke had already instructed all PDP-elected local government chairmen, who emerged victorious in the February 22, 2025, elections, to refrain from entering council secretariats to avoid confrontations. He stressed that the administration is committed to peace and will not be drawn into violence.

“They [the APC] are the ones orchestrating unrest, hoping it will justify their long-standing call for emergency rule in Osun,” Bamiji said. “One of their governorship aspirants even made such a call publicly on national television. We have seen their consistent efforts in press releases to push for federal intervention.”

Bamiji emphasized that no thugs were being mobilized by the ruling party or the governor. “Our governor will never support violence or the loss of any life or property. Adeleke has chosen the legal route to address the issue and has asked everyone to avoid provocation.”

He also accused the opposition of projecting their past tactics onto the current administration. “Perhaps they fear their own shadow, knowing the tactics they used while in power. But our government has chosen peace and the courts,” he added.

Amid the growing political unrest and administrative confusion, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Mr. Hashim Abioye, reaffirmed the legality of the February 22 elections. He insisted that only those elected during that poll have the constitutional authority to manage local government affairs.

Abioye stated that the elections were held in full compliance with constitutional and legal provisions, and no court ruling has invalidated the process or its outcome.

“The chairmen and councillors elected on February 22 remain the only legally recognized local government officials in the state,” Abioye declared. “No one outside this group has the legal mandate to exercise administrative control over Osun’s local councils.”

As tensions mount, stakeholders await the response of security agencies and the federal government amid fears of further escalation.


Leave a Reply