Osun: Five persons killed over LG control battle between APC, PDP
…Stay away from LG Secretariats — Adeleke tells residents
…Gov. Adeleke, PDP’s hoodlums killed our members — Osun APC alleges
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Following the battle for local government control in Osun State between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), five persons were reportedly killed on Monday.
The two parties have laid claim to the local government councils following the Appeal Court judgment, sitting in Akure, Ondo State, regarding the sacked local government chairmen and councilors in Osun State.
The Commissioner for Government Affairs and Protocol to Osun State Governor, Ajeigbe Korede alleged that APC thugs killed two members of the PDP at the Boripe local government Secretariat in Iragbiji.
Korede said that about six members of their party sustained various degrees of injuries.
He called on the Federal government to call the people behind the attack to order to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the State.
He said, “Earlier this morning, around 5am, we received a call that APC thugs, led by Banik from Ire, a former local government and chieftaincy affairs official, Adebayo Adeleke, who served under the Oyetola regime, along with Asiri-Eniba and thugs from different local governments, were mobilising at the Secretariat.
“We came out to investigate the issue and none of our party members were present to attack or harass them. Suddenly, they began shooting with pump-action guns and AK-47s, firing live bullets in the presence of security personnel from Boripe Local Government, including the DPO who was on the scene.
“We have been informed that they are still in Iragbiji, currently at the former governor’s house among Asiri-Eniba and Sogo Banik where we believe they are repositioned to launch another attack. They have promised to return tomorrow.”
Reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed Osun residents including politicians across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.
Adeleke, in a reaction signed by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, “To the current illegal APC takeover bid of local governments in Osun state, the Governor affirmed that since the local government workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.
“I therefore direct all law abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats especially as they are expected to be under lock and key. I equally condole families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs.
“PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed,” the Governor lamented.
He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties, affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned in its entirety the gruesome killings and maiming of the party members in the state.
The APC accused Governor Adeleke of setting the state on fire for “arrogantly refusing to obey the court order that reinstated the sacked APC elected council Chairmen and Councillors.”
Recall that the Court of Appeal last Monday in its ruling upheld the APC appeal seeking for the reinstatement of the sacked council officials among other reliefs granted by the Court.
Addressing a Press Conference on Monday at the Ilerioluwa Campaign Office, Osogbo, the APC Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal alongside the Executive Director Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Remi Omowaiye, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke and former Special Adviser on Education, Alhaji Jamiu Olawumi, expressed sadness over the wanton killings that have pervaded the entire state.
They reeled out the names of those that were allegedly killed by the PDP’s thugs which include the elected Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Hon. Remi Abass, who was murdered in the early hours of today by gunmen.
In his words, Omowaiye said, “They are killing our people. A lot of our people are missing as of this moment. We have received information across the Local Government Areas and we have the record of those that were killed and maimed. Our people are brutally attacked. It is unfortunate that Governor Adeleke forgot that Osun is not his property.
“Just a few minutes ago, PDP’s thugs waylaid me and my team from Ilesa while coming to Osogbo and the thugs were led by the PDP House of Assembly member, Olawale Akerele popularly called ‘Water.’ And they have gone to attack my campaign office in Ilesa. My vehicle was shot as the driver was almost killed. The gunshot can be seen on my vehicle.
“Situation is similar in other places. The hoodlums were led by Amotekun Corps and I am calling on the Inspector General of Police to proscribe Amotekun in Osun. They have turned to PDP’s thugs, killing and maiming Osun citizens. I am an appointee of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am a council chairman, so, why were they running after me? Please ask them.
“We call for immediate arrest of those that perpetrated this massacre. The law must take its due course,” he said.
Also, the former Special Adviser on Education, Olawumi cautioned the state government not to plunge Osun into an irredeemable state of anarchy.
“My heart is heavy. We are sad simply because the Osun state government that was supposed to protect the people chose to allow barbaric activities that are very opposite to the purpose and intentions of the Nigerian Constitution. It is quite unfortunate that Governor Adeleke who was supposed to uphold the oath of office he swore to by protecting the lives and property of the citizens has chosen otherwise.
“We have casualties everywhere. Our Chairmen and Councillors that resumed work were attacked. Properties were destroyed. But I want to tell the whole world that we will continue to go to the office. So they shouldn’t start fights they won’t win. We call on President Tinubu, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation to come to the rescue of Osun people as the Governor who is supposed to be the father of the state went to unleash terror on Osun.
“I am appealing to our traditional rulers to call the government to order because those that can be the pride of Osun are being killed by this government and we know why they have chosen that part. We know that they want to continue to squander the resources of the state,” he alleged.
Similarly, the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke condemned the “unruly conduct of the present administration” in the state, saying the Governor has given Osun “a bad name in the comity of states.”
“Adeleke’s government has done its worst. This is uncivilised, barbaric and cruel. But we would not allow them to intimidate us. We are resolute and determined to ensure the full implementation of the Appeal Court’s judgment.
“I want to tell you that our council Chairmen and Councillors will continue to go to office. They would go to their offices and they are ready for the state government to kill them as they killed one of them.”
“We are not surprised that they are killing our people. It is on record that PDP is an epitome of lies but they have started a war they won’t win. We have the list of those they want to kill or attack and we are awaiting them,” he added.
