Adeleke asks Osun residents to avoid LG secretariats, says five killed by suspected thugs

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun, has asked residents to stay away from local government secretariats over the political violence in the state.

Adeleke said only security agencies should be allowed into the LGA secretariats since the workers are on strike.

Earlier on Monday, violence broke out at some LGA secretariats in Osun after supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed.

Bullets were fired during the clash as many residents scampered for safety, and at least two persons were shot dead.

The crisis in the state started owing to the judgment of the court appeal on sacked council chairpersons and councillors.

The PDP claimed that the February 10 judgment of the court of appeal in Akure, Ondo state, did not reinstate the sacked chairpersons and councillors elected in 2022, while the APC insisted that they were reinstated.

In November 2022, the Osun governor directed the heads of local government areas and area council development areas in the state to take charge of their councils.

The governor had said the decision was in compliance with the federal high court judgment that ruled the LGA election that brought the chairpersons and councillors into office was illegal.

On Sunday, Adeleke alleged that Adegboyega Oyetola, his predecessor, was planning to cause mayhem in the state starting from Monday.

‘FIVE PDP MEMBERS KILLED’

In a statement released by Olawale Rasheed, chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Adeleke said five PDP members were killed during the violence that broke out at LGA secretariats on Monday.

The governor accused APC members of the “illegal takeover” of the LGA secretariats and causing mayhem in the state.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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. The 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.”