In Osun State, the crisis over the leadership of local government secretariats, on Monday, escalated as eight individuals, not excluding a local government chairman, were murdered and several injured as local government officials elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, occupied offices at the numerous council secretariats.
While the state government claimed that five persons from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were lost, the APC stated three of its members were murdered.
Both political parties, PDP and APC have been claiming the leadership of the council areas with the APC attesting that the Appeal Court had reinstated the eliminated elected council chairmen and councillors.
The Osun State government, on the other hand negated that the election was cancelled by a Federal High Court in Osogbo.
As early as 8:00am, elected council officials moved to resume at their respective offices at Boripe, Ilesa-West, Obokun, Odo-Otin, Iwo, Ayedaade, Isokan, and Irewole Local Government Arears among others.
In a turn of event, in a measure to debar the chairmen, suspected thugs loyal to the PDP in the said areas invaded the offices and were shooting heavily into the air.
In an attempt to debar them, another set of suspected thugs loyal to the APC haltered the move, which transcended in casualties.
Responding to the killings and invasion of council secretariats, Governor Adeleke, highlighted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle (@AAdeleke_01), on Monday, ordering security agencies to take over of all local government secretariats calling for stoppage of the bloodshed.
Governor Adeleke wrote: “Following reports of the failed illegal takeover bid of local government councils in Osun by the sacked APC Chairmen and councillors, I hereby direct all Osun residents including politicians across all political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.
“This has become necessary, especially as the council secretariats are expected to be under lock and key, due to the withdrawal of service, announced by workers of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, across the state.
“I equally console families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop further bloodshed.
“I have directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats and I hereby assure residents of Osun of their safety and protection of lives and properties.” The Governor stated.
Reacting to the issue, members of the Osun State Caucus in the National Assembly, on Monday, persuaded President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Inspector General of Police to bring back normalcy in the state.
They also clamoured for the joint hands of the National Security Adviser and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to halt the crisis.
