“Violence Erupts as APC and PDP Supporters Clash in Osun Over Local Government Control”
Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State sparked chaos on Monday as they stormed local government secretariats across the state, determined to seize control of the administrations. The clashes between rival party members, many accompanied by armed hoodlums, resulted in violence and the use of deadly weapons, including guns, knives, and cutlasses.
The unrest follows a controversial ruling by the Court of Appeal on February 10, which the APC claims reinstates council officials dismissed during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The APC had insisted on enforcing the verdict, but the PDP disagreed, fueling the confrontation.
In some areas, the violence escalated with sporadic gunfire, sending residents, particularly those living near council secretariats, into a state of panic. Despite an earlier directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urging workers to stay off work, political activists from both parties continued their aggressive efforts to take control of local government offices.
Among the affected councils were Irewole, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ayedaade, Boripe, Obokun, Ilesa East and West, Irepodun, Oriade, and Atakumosa, among others. However, the situation was somewhat contained in some areas, as the presence of security forces successfully prevented the hoodlums from gaining access to the secretariats.
The violence has drawn widespread condemnation, and Governor Ademola Adeleke had already appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to avoid instigating further unrest in the state.
