Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have backed Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State amid the ongoing crisis surrounding the leadership of local councils in the state.
The crisis has led to violent clashes, property destruction, and loss of lives.
The conflict began after the Federal High Court in Osogbo ruled last year to dismiss local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State. However, the Court of Appeal in Akure later overturned the ruling, ordering their reinstatement. This decision led tension as the dismissed officials attempted to reclaim their positions, leading to confrontations across several local councils.
The reinstated officials are member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
In response to the crisis, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), has condemned the violence and commended Governor Adeleke for his proactive approach in raising the alarm before the situation spiraled out of control.
The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with deep concern the recent political violence in Osun State, which led to the loss of lives and the destruction of property.
“The concern of the PDPGF stems from the fact that the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke had warned about the imminent breakdown of law and order and appealed to the responsible authorities to act to forestall this.
“The PDPGF condemns in its entirety the resort to self-help by political players whose conduct ought to have been guided by the provisions of extant laws in a democratic society. The Forum further notes with deep worry the resort to violence as a means of settling political and legal disputes and warns all those fanning the embers of discord to desist forthwith.”
The governors praised Adeleke for his timely warnings before political actors turned to violence, noting it as a sign of exemplary leadership.
The statement added, “Thus, the PDDGF appeals to His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of DSS, the Inspector General of Police and the heads of other law enforcement agencies to move quickly and direct all law enforcement agencies to without further delay, contain the situation in Osun State, restore law and order and guarantee the preservation of lives and property before it spirals out of control.
“The PDPGF also notes that political leadership should be about patriotic sacrifice and service to the people and not about bloodbath and violent criminal conducts and thus, charges all the stakeholders in Osun State to abide by the law.
“In this regard, the PDPGF further avers that with regard to the protection of lives and property, there are no partisan divides or ideological divisions. Every political leader should be serving the people and working towards their safety, protection, and welfare.”
