Osun State in Nigeria is reeling from escalating violence between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The crisis erupted following a contentious Court of Appeal ruling, which allegedly reinstated APC-elected local government chairmen and councillors.
The violence has resulted in the loss of several lives, including that of a former chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr. Aderemi Abbas, and six others. The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has raised an alarm over an alleged conspiracy involving the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and some security agency heads to enforce the ruling.
The APC and PDP have traded accusations over the violence, with each party blaming the other for the bloodshed. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the violence and deployed additional tactical squads to restore law and order in the affected areas.
The Osun State chapter of the PDP has accused the APC of orchestrating “brutal and coordinated attacks” on its members, resulting in the loss of five lives and over 50 injuries. The APC, on the other hand, has accused the PDP of perpetrating violence and lawlessness in the state.
The crisis has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for calm and restraint. The Osun State National Assembly caucus has accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of colluding with security agents to disrupt local government operations.
Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has also criticized the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, for failing to uphold the rule of law. The situation remains volatile, with many uncertain about the outcome of the ongoing power struggle.
Add Comment