Prevail on Adeleke to call off Osun LG poll, Oyintiloye tells Tinubu

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has implored President Bola Tinubu to prevail on Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, not to proceed with the local government election billed for Saturday.

Tension has heightened in the south-west state since last week after supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed over the reinstatement of sacked LG chairpersons.

Six persons were reportedly killed during the clash, including Remi Abbas, a former chairman of Irewole LGA.

The APC has announced that it is withdrawing from the election, citing a court ruling.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker and member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), warned that the election could escalate the violence in the state. 

“I want to appeal to the president to prevail on Gov. Adeleke not to go ahead with the election for security reasons,” he said.

“All we want in the state is peace, and anything that can jeopardise the peaceful atmosphere should be avoided.”

He urged the state government to approach the supreme court if dissatisfied with the court of appeal judgment. 

“Presently, there is no vacuum in all the 30 council areas in the state due to the court of appeal judgement that reinstated the APC chairmen and councillors,” he added.

“Gov. Adeleke must protect tenets of democracy and have respect for the rule of law that brought him to power.

“The six lives that were lost at different council areas in the state on Monday, with many others injured, was strong enough a reason why the election should not be conducted.

“Since it is the constitutional responsibility of any government to protect lives and property, the state government should shun what can lead to bloodshed.

“President Bola Tinubu should prevail on Adeleke and make him see reasons why the election cannot be held.”

He commended security agencies for their swift intervention in restoring peace and urged the government to prioritise safety over politics.

Oyintiloye also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and urged residents to remain law-abiding.

“Members of the APC in the state would continue to embrace peace and support every constitutional arrangement for the protection of lives and property in the state,” he said.