The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State appears to be backing down from the ongoing political face-off that has led to eight deaths, including that of a former local government chairman.
It has directed those who claimed to have been reinstated council executives, after a Court of Appeal ruling, to vacate their positions in local government areas to honour the memory of their slain colleague, Hon. Remi Abass.
Abass, the former chairman of Irewole local government area, who was among those who attempted to take over the local government secretariat, was allegedly killed on Monday in a violent clash between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC thugs.
Abass was buried in Ikire, his hometown, in Osun State.
“The untimely and sudden killing of the peace-loving and consummate politician was inhumane, wicked and callous,” APC state chairman Tajudeen Lawal said.
But he directed other chairmen and their councillors to stay off their respective council secretariat as a sign of respect for their fallen colleagues until further notice.
He assured them that the late Abass would not be killed in vain, calling on the police to extend arrest, investigation and prosecution of the killers and their sponsors.
Recall that the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party traded accusations over escalating violence in Osun State, which culminated in the killing of a former chairman of Irewole Local Government Area.
The crisis was triggered by a contentious Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating APC-elected local government chairmen and councillors.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had raised an alarm on Sunday, alleging a conspiracy led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and some security agency heads to enforce the ruling.
Adeleke urged the public to hold Oyetola and the state’s security chiefs accountable for any ensuing violence.
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Deadly clashes
It was a free-for-all as supporters of the APC and PDP unleashed mayhem on local government secretariats across the state, on Monday, leaving in its wake deaths and injured persons.
In a short video, Abbas, who was elected as chairman in the 2018 election, was seen lying in his pool of blood with an open wound on his head.
A security source present at the scene, who craved anonymity, said Abbas was killed following a bloody clash between party supporters armed with guns, machete among other weapons.
“Today at 11:56am, the APC chairman, Hon Remi Abass, and his men were taking steps to enter local government premises in Ikire. This led to confrontation with PDP members. During the confrontation, many people were wounded with machetes and bullets, and one person was gunned down immediately.”
Similar violence was recorded in other local government areas, as two persons were reportedly shot dead at Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area.
It was a similar situation Olaoluwa, and Isokan areas of the state.
Witnesses reported gunfights between rival groups, leaving several people injured.
Two individuals were reportedly shot dead in Iragbiji, Boripe LGA, as APC members attempting to access the council secretariat encountered armed resistance allegedly orchestrated by PDP supporters.
Violence spread to Isokan LGA, where two people were injured in clashes, while in Olaoluwa, another fatal shooting occurred.
In Olorunda LGA, APC members’ attempts to take over the council secretariat were met with resistance, prompting heavy police presence to restore order.
Hoodlums armed with charms and weapons were seen intimidating bystanders, smashing phones of those recording the chaos.
In Ikoyi, Osun APC members had gone to secretariat in Isokan to resume and while on the premises, it was learnt some PDP members arriving in the area, engaged them in bloody clashes during which two people were injured.
In Bode Osi, the headquarters of Olaoluwa Local Government Area, there was reported a shooting which claimed the life of a man, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained.
Gunshots were heard at the gate of Osogbo Central Local Government Area, Oke Baale, Osogbo early as PDP, APC members clashed in an attempt to enter the council secretariat.
While the shooting lasted, Osogbo/Ibokun road that passes the front of the local government secretariat was deserted.
In Atakumosa West Local Government Secretariat, ex-member of Osun State House of Assembly, Festus Komolafe, led elected APC members into the premises.
They however came out a few minutes after.
In Egbedore Local Government secretariat, Awo, PDP members wielding cane were singing at the entrance to the secretariat, daring APC members to come near them.
In Ayedaade LGA, APC members, it was learnt, resumed at the secretariat located in Gbongan.
But members of the party that attempted to take over Olorunda local government secretariat, in Igbona, Osogbo were resisted, leading to tension in the area.
The Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mr. Remi Omowaiye, alleged an attack on his convoy near Ilesa West secretariat by PDP thugs. Omowaiye claimed his driver was injured by a bullet, and two security aides sustained injuries. The vehicles in his convoy were riddled with bullets.
Omowaiye said, “PDP-sponsored thugs attacked us, despite intelligence warning us to avoid the secretariat. My office in Ilesa West is currently under attack by these hoodlums. This must not continue.”
Reacting to the violence, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun ordered additional tactical squads to Osun State.
In a statement by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the police condemned the violence, describing it as a threat to democracy and public safety.
“In response to the ongoing violence in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned, in strong terms, the incidents that have disrupted peace and safety in the state, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. These violent actions had disrupted the peace, leading to the destruction of property, and the unfortunate loss of innocent lives,” the statement read.
In response, Adejobi said the IGP has directed the immediate reinforcement of security in the affected areas.
According to him, the newly deployed tactical squads would work alongside existing security operatives to restore law and order.
He vowed that the police would identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
“Violence undermines the democratic process and threatens the well-being of citizens. Perpetrators will face the full weight of the law,” the statement continued.
The IGP also issued a stern warning against further acts of lawlessness, hooliganism, and anarchy, assuring residents that security operatives would clamp down on anyone attempting to disrupt public peace.
“The Force will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and stability of Osun State. Those responsible for these criminal acts will be tracked down and made to face justice. Citizens must remain calm as normalcy is being restored.”
“The situation in Osun will be closely monitored, and all necessary measures will be enforced to ensure a safe environment for all residents,” the statement concluded.
The immediate past Special Adviser on Education to the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Mr. Jamiu Olawumi, alongside Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Mr. Bayo Adeleke, and former Special Adviser on Civic Engagement Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, expressed deep sorrow over recent violence and loss of lives in Osun State.
Olawumi lamented, saying, “It is heartbreaking that we lost our people in Irewole, Isokan, and Ola-Oluwa local governments. The Chairman for Irewole Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, was killed while crossing the Ibadan-Ife expressway on his way to resume at the council office. Additionally, a councilor in Isokan was murdered, and people in Iragbiji, Osogbo, and Olorunda were attacked.
“The Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, narrowly escaped an ambush at Omi-Aladie near Ilesa West. His vehicles were riddled with close to 45 bullet holes. In Ife-East, a PDP thug shot someone in the leg, and in Ife-South, the council chairman was barred from entering his office due to the presence of militants and thugs. Is this the constitution and oath of office the governor swore to uphold?”
The Osun State chapter of the PDP condemned what it described as “brutal and coordinated attacks” allegedly carried out by APC hoodlums, with claims of armed security agents aiding the opposition.
The PDP Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, stated that the party lost five members and had over 50 injured across the state. Local government areas worst affected include Boripe, Olaoluwa, Isokan, and Ilesa West.
“In Boripe, particularly in Iragbiji and Aagba, two PDP members were gruesomely murdered, and over 20 sustained injuries while preparing for a rally. These attacks were orchestrated to instill fear and suppress the democratic rights of the people of Boripe, home to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola,” Bamiji said.
Eyewitnesses reported that APC thugs targeted PDP strongholds, disrupted activities, and attacked peaceful party members. The attacks involved indiscriminate shooting at supporters, leaving many families devastated.
“In Olaoluwa Local Government, two more PDP members were killed, and several others suffered gunshot wounds. In Isokan, APC thugs attacked our members, leaving Prince Wahab, a PDP leader, injured. Similarly, in Ilesa West, APC thugs, allegedly led by former Commissioner for Works Oluremi Omowaiye and APC chairmanship candidate Tobi Famurewa, opened fire at a PDP rally, injuring several people, including Hon. Tunde Ẹjẹ and Hon. Kasali,” Bamiji added.
The PDP also accused some security personnel of either participating in or turning a blind eye to these attacks, raising concerns about state security agencies’ complicity.
During a heated debate on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Osun Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Kolapo Alimi, and APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, clashed over the violence.
Alimi claimed six lives were lost and blamed the APC for the chaos. “The governor has directed everyone to stay away from local government offices. Despite this, five PDP members were killed, and several others were injured. We urge the President to intervene and bring peace to Osun,” he said.
Basiru, however, accused the PDP of orchestrating the violence. “What happened today in Osun is carnage. Our chairman, Hon. Remi Abass, was murdered in cold blood by PDP thugs. Another member was brutally attacked. This is not politics; it’s barbaric,” he said emotionally.
The Osun State National Assembly caucus accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of colluding with security agents to disrupt local government operations. They alleged that sacked council officials, aided by security personnel, forcefully took over local government offices, despite a court ruling upholding their dismissal.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Hon. Salam said, “Osun residents woke up to a criminal takeover of local government offices by sacked officials, accompanied by thugs and sporadic gunfire. These acts threaten the peace enjoyed under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.”
The caucus called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging the National Security Adviser and Attorney General to advise the APC on the illegality of their actions and ensure peace in the state.
“Despite a scheduled local government election, the APC has resorted to violence and lawlessness, disrupting the peace of the state. These actions are barbaric and unjustifiable,” Salam concluded.
Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, criticised the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, for the crisis in the state.
Via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Davido, who is a nephew of Governor Adeleke, accused the Osun CP of failing to uphold the rule of law.
In a series of strongly worded posts, written in a mix of English and Pidgin, Davido lashed out at the commissioner, warning him against biased actions.
“Mr Commissioner, respect the rule of law!!! I will post you every day everywhere, Mr man!!! Try me,” he wrote.
In another tweet, he added, “Mr Umar Abba, Osun State Commissioner, you are a disgrace to your children!!! Game on.”
● Additional report by The Punch
