The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has accused Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of collaborating with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to enforce a “non-existent” court order reinstating former local government chairmen. PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi made these allegations during a press conference in Osogbo, claiming that the IG deployed Special Forces to assist the ousted officials in regaining access to their offices.
Bisi described the deployment as a dangerous maneuver that could destabilize the state and might even threaten the life of Governor Ademola Adeleke. He criticized Egbetokun for abusing the trust placed in him by the governor and warned against enabling violence in the region.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when APC members attempted to enforce a Court of Appeal judgment allowing them to reclaim their offices, resulting in violent clashes that led to several deaths, including that of APC chieftain Remi Abass. Despite the unrest, some former chairmen managed to resume their positions, further heightening conflicts between the two parties.
The Osun State House of Assembly condemned the actions of the APC, labeling the takeover of local government secretariats as undemocratic. Speaker Adewale Egbedun called for President Tinubu’s intervention and urged the IGP to ensure the eviction of the reinstated officials to restore order.
In response, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi criticized Bisi for his accusations, alleging that the PDP was responsible for the violence that resulted in Abass’s death. He maintained that the APC was merely acting on the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which overturned a previous decision that had removed the local government officials elected in 2022.
The House of Representatives has echoed calls for peace, urging the IGP and the Director General of the Department of State Services to take immediate action to restore order in Osun. They warned that the current situation could escalate into widespread chaos if not addressed promptly.
Amidst the turmoil, Abiodun Idowu, representing the ousted chairmen, announced that local government accounts would be frozen and urged the state government to postpone upcoming elections, asserting that no vacancies currently exist in the councils. The embattled chairmen pledged to prioritize essential services in their localities, including the reemployment of previously sacked teachers and health workers.
