At least eight people lost their lives, and many others were injured on Monday as a violent clash erupted between members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the control of local government secretariats in Osun State.
The crisis intensified after APC officials, who were previously sacked, attempted to resume office, citing a recent Appeal Court ruling. However, the Osun State government maintained that a Federal High Court in Osogbo had nullified their election, making their return illegal.
Tensions Escalate as Armed Thugs Invade Secretariats
By 8 a.m., APC chairmen and councillors arrived at various council secretariats, including those in Boripe, Ilesa-West, Obokun, Odo-Otin, Iwo, Ayedaade, Isokan, and Irewole local government areas.
However, shortly after their arrival, violence erupted when armed men, suspected to be PDP supporters, stormed the offices, firing gunshots into the air. In retaliation, another group, believed to be APC loyalists, engaged them in a fierce battle, leading to casualties on both sides.
APC Alleges Attack by PDP Thugs
The Osun APC blamed the PDP for the attack. Speaking to journalists at the Ileri-Oluwa Campaign Office in Osogbo, APC chieftain Jamiu Olawumi accused the PDP of orchestrating the violence.
“In line with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s threat, PDP thugs invaded the council secretariats and started shooting at our people,” Olawumi alleged. “Remi Abass, chairman of Irewole, was killed, a councillor was murdered in Isokan, and another APC member was shot dead in Ola-Oluwa.”
He called on Governor Adeleke to restrain his supporters, warning that the APC officials would continue to occupy the secretariats as permitted by the court ruling.
Olawumi also claimed that an assassination attempt was made on Engineer Remi Omowaye, Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, by suspected PDP thugs in Ilesa. “His vehicle was riddled with bullets, and his office was attacked,” he added.
PDP Claims Loss of Five Members
The PDP, however, presented a different account of the events. Osun State Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs, Soji Ajeigbe, said that five PDP members were killed by APC thugs.
“Two of our members, Ege and Igara, were shot dead in Boripe local government. Another two were killed in Ola-Oluwa, while one was murdered in Ikire,” Ajeigbe said. “Six others were also killed while trying to resist the illegal takeover of secretariats by APC thugs.”
According to Ajeigbe, the bodies of the victims had been deposited in the morgue, and those injured were receiving medical treatment.
Governor Adeleke Orders Security Takeover of Secretariats
Reacting to the crisis, Governor Adeleke condemned the bloodshed and ordered security agencies to take full control of all local government secretariats in the state.
Taking to his official X handle, the governor directed all politicians to stay away from the secretariats to prevent further violence.
“The council secretariats are supposed to be under lock and key due to the strike action by the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),” Adeleke wrote. “I have also directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats to ensure the safety of lives and properties.”
The governor expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured Osun residents that his administration would not allow lawlessness to take root in the state.
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Police Investigate the Incident
The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the deadly clashes. The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that law enforcement officials were looking into the incident and would release their findings in due course.
Meanwhile, members of the Osun State Caucus in the National Assembly have called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to intervene and restore order.
Lawmakers Call for Federal Intervention
A group of lawmakers, including three senators and nine House of Representatives members, held a press briefing in Abuja, where they condemned the APC’s actions and accused the party of using violence to reclaim lost power.
“The people of Osun woke up to a criminal takeover of local government secretariats by these sacked officials,” said Rep. Bamidele Salam. “With the support of security personnel, these APC thugs broke into government offices and unleashed terror on innocent citizens.”
The lawmakers specifically accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the illegal takeover in collaboration with local security heads.
“We are aware that these attacks are being carried out under the directives of Mr. Oyetola, with the active support of the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service, and the Commandant of the NSCDC,” the lawmakers stated. “This is an invitation to anarchy, and it must be stopped immediately.”
PDP: Sacked Officials Cannot Return to Office
The PDP’s national leadership also weighed in on the matter, stating that the sacked local government officials had no legal grounds to return to office.
According to PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Appeal Court ruling had nullified their tenure, making any attempt to reclaim office illegal.
“The APC must accept reality and stop resorting to self-help, violence, and killings,” Ologunagba said. “The fate of the ousted chairmen and councillors was sealed by the court’s judgment, which declared their election unconstitutional.”
He urged the APC to prepare for the upcoming local government elections rather than instigating violence.