APC Calls for State of Emergency in Osun as Political Violence Escalates
The political crisis in Osun State has taken a dangerous turn, with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state. The call comes after reports of violence, including fatalities, which have added to the already charged political atmosphere.
Senator Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the APC, made the call during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. He suggested that the situation had escalated to the point where the Federal Government’s intervention might be necessary to restore order. “It has gotten to that stage where hapless people coming from farms are attacked by uncontrollable PDP thugs,” Basiru stated, underlining the increasing insecurity in the state.
However, the state government, led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), vehemently rejected the APC’s request. Osun’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed the call as a political maneuver. Alimi accused the APC of deliberately instigating violence to justify their demand for a state of emergency. “They are deliberately causing mayhem in the state,” Alimi said, urging the federal government to disregard the opposition’s plea. The state government further promised to release the names of those killed in the violence, asserting that the situation had been manipulated by the APC.
Political Violence Claims Lives as Reinstated Council Officials Resume Office
Tension in Osun reached new heights on Monday as reinstated local government officials across the state resumed their duties, claiming to enforce a court ruling that had reinstated them. However, their return sparked resistance in key areas, including Oshogbo, Ikire, and Irewole, escalating into violent clashes.
Reports indicate that at least two people were killed, including one of the reinstated chairmen, Remi Abbas, who lost his life in the conflict. The violence appears to be centered around the dispute between local government authorities and the state government, with both sides claiming legal backing for their actions.
IGP Orders Additional Security Forces to Restore Order
In response to the growing unrest, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of additional tactical units to Osun State. These squads are tasked with restoring law and order and ensuring that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
The police have condemned the violence, which they say disrupted the peace and safety of the region, and have vowed to ensure that perpetrators face legal consequences. The state government, meanwhile, continues to accuse the APC of using violence as a tactic to destabilize the region.
As the political and security situation in Osun remains fragile, the conflict shows no signs of easing. Both the APC and PDP are positioning themselves for further confrontations, with each side holding their ground as the situation unfolds.
