The ongoing conflict over control of local government secretariats in Osun State escalated yesterday, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including a local government chairman, with several others injured. The violence erupted as elected local government officials from the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to resume office.
The Osun State government reported that five members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were killed, while the APC claimed that three of its members lost their lives. The crisis stems from a dispute over the legitimacy of local government leadership, with the APC citing an Appeal Court ruling reinstating sacked elected officials, while the state government insists the election was nullified by a Federal High Court in Osogbo.
How the Crisis Escalated
By 8 a.m., APC-elected council officials had begun resuming at secretariats in several LGAs, including Boripe, Ilesa-West, Obokun, Odo-Otin, Iwo, Ayedaade, Isokan, and Irewole. However, suspected PDP-aligned thugs reportedly stormed the offices, firing gunshots to prevent their entry. In response, APC-aligned thugs retaliated, leading to violent clashes and casualties.
APC: PDP Thugs Attacked Council Secretariats
At a press briefing in Osogbo, Jamiu Olawumi, speaking on behalf of the APC Chairman, alleged that PDP-backed thugs attacked secretariats where APC officials had successfully resumed. According to him, the chairmen had regained control in 15 LGAs before the violence broke out.
"By 9:15 a.m., our officials had resumed in 15 councils, including Ede-South, Ife-Central, Ife-North, Ife-East, Ilesa-East, Obokun, Odo-Otin, Osogbo, Boripe, Irewole, Isokan, Ayedaade, and Atakumosa-East," Olawumi stated. "However, PDP thugs stormed the secretariats and began shooting. Remi Abass, the Irewole LGA chairman, was killed, along with a councillor in Isokan and an APC member in Ola-Oluwa."
He also alleged that PDP-backed thugs attempted to assassinate Engr. Remi Omowaye, Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, as his vehicle was riddled with bullets and his office attacked in Ilesa.
PDP: APC Thugs Responsible for Killings
Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs, Soji Ajeigbe, countered the APC's claims, stating that two PDP members, identified as Ege and Igara, were killed by APC-backed thugs. He further claimed that a total of six PDP members were killed while resisting the APC's attempt to take over the secretariats.
"We have deposited the bodies in the morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital," Ajeigbe said.
Governor Adeleke Orders Security Takeover
Reacting to the crisis, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered security forces to take control of all local government secretariats to prevent further bloodshed.
"Following reports of the failed illegal takeover bid of local government councils in Osun by the sacked APC Chairmen and councillors, I direct all residents, including politicians, to stay away from the secretariats to prevent further violence," Adeleke wrote on his official X handle.
The governor also expressed condolences to the families of the victims, stating that five PDP members had lost their lives, including two from Iragbiji, Boripe LGA, and others from Ola-Oluwa and Ikire.
As tensions remain high, security forces have been deployed across the state to restore order.