Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, expressing full support for his efforts to restore peace and safeguard lives and property amid the ongoing local government crisis in the state.
Under the umbrella of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), the governors voiced deep concern over the recent wave of political violence in Osun, which has resulted in loss of life and destruction of property.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Bauchi State Governor and PDPGF Chairman, Bala Mohammed, condemned the unrest, emphasizing that Adeleke had previously warned of a potential breakdown of law and order and had urged authorities to intervene before the situation escalated.
“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,” Mohammed said.
“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,” he added.
Praising Adeleke’s leadership, Mohammed highlighted the governor’s early warnings as a responsible step aimed at preventing chaos.
“The PDPGF commends the Governor of Osun State for the timely warning in the form of statements he issued before these political actors resorted to violence. His action is a mark of exemplary leadership,” the statement read.
The PDPGF urged President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, and heads of other security agencies to take swift action to contain the crisis and ensure the protection of citizens.
“The PDPGF 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,” Mohammed stated.
He stressed that political leadership should prioritize service to the people rather than violence and bloodshed.
“The PDPGF also notes that political leadership should be about patriotic sacrifice and service to the people and not about bloodbaths and violent criminal conduct and thus charges all the stakeholders in Osun State to abide by the law.”
The governors reiterated that protecting lives and maintaining order should transcend party lines, urging all political actors to work toward peace.
“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.”
Concluding, the PDPGF called for a return to normalcy in Osun State and the prosecution of those responsible for the violence.
“The PDPGF is desirous of seeing a full and total return of normalcy in Osun State, the restoration of law and order, and the quick identification and decisive trial of all those charged with violent disruption of the peace in Osun State.”
