The political situation in Osun State has escalated into a full-blown crisis as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what it described as an unlawful takeover of local government offices.
The PDP claims that the IGP deployed special security forces to escort sacked APC chairmen and councillors into their former offices, despite a lack of a valid court order.
The PDP alleges this is part of a plot to destabilise the state and even threatens the life of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Violence erupted on Monday during the attempted reinstatement of the former chairmen, resulting in the deaths of six people, including an APC leader, Remi Abass.
Properties were also destroyed during the clashes between supporters of the PDP and APC.
Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, accused the IGP of betraying the governor’s trust, warning that this security breach could endanger public peace.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intervene and prevent further bloodshed.
The Osun State House of Assembly also condemned the APC’s actions, calling them undemocratic.
Speaker Adewale Egbedun urged the IGP to remove the sacked officials and restore order.
However, the APC dismissed the PDP’s claims, accusing the ruling party of orchestrating the violence that led to the death of its members.
The APC insists it was simply enforcing a Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated the officials.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has stepped in, urging security agencies to restore peace and prevent the crisis from escalating.
The ousted chairmen have declared all local government accounts frozen and called for the suspension of upcoming council elections, asserting that their positions remain valid.
