The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have traded accusations over escalating violence in Osun State, which culminated in the killing of a former chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr. Aderemi Abbas, and six others on Monday.
The crisis was triggered by a contentious Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating APC-elected local government chairmen and councillors.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had raised an alarm on Sunday, alleging a conspiracy led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and some security agency heads to enforce the ruling.
Adeleke urged the public to hold Oyetola and the state’s security chiefs accountable for any ensuing violence.
It was a free-for-all as supporters of the APC and PDP unleashed mayhem on local government secretariats across the state, on Monday, leaving in its wake deaths and injured persons.
In a short video, Abbas, who was elected as chairman in the 2018 election, was seen lying in his pool of blood with an open wound on his head.
A security source present at the scene, who craved anonymity, said Abbas was killed following a bloody clash between party supporters armed with guns, machete among other weapons.
“Today at 11:56am, the APC chairman, Hon Remi Abass, and his men were taking steps to enter local government premises in Ikire. This led to confrontation with PDP members. During the confrontation, many people were wounded with machetes and bullets, and one person was gunned down immediately.”
Similar violence was recorded in other local government areas, as two persons were reportedly shot dead at Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area.
It was a similar situation Olaoluwa, and Isokan areas of the state.
Witnesses reported gunfights between rival groups, leaving several people injured.
Two individuals were reportedly shot dead in Iragbiji, Boripe LGA, as APC members attempting to access the council secretariat encountered armed resistance allegedly orchestrated by PDP supporters.
Violence spread to Isokan LGA, where two people were injured in clashes, while in Olaoluwa, another fatal shooting occurred.
In Olorunda LGA, APC members’ attempts to take over the council secretariat were met with resistance, prompting heavy police presence to restore order.
Hoodlums armed with charms and weapons were seen intimidating bystanders, smashing phones of those recording the chaos.
In Ikoyi, Osun APC members had gone to secretariat in Isokan to resume and while on the premises, it was learnt some PDP members arriving in the area, engaged them in bloody clashes during which two people were injured.
In Bode Osi, the headquarters of Olaoluwa Local Government Area, there was reported a shooting which claimed the life of a man, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained.
Gunshots were heard at the gate of Osogbo Central Local Government Area, Oke Baale, Osogbo early as PDP, APC members clashed in an attempt to enter the council secretariat.
While the shooting lasted, Osogbo/Ibokun road that passes the front of the local government secretariat was deserted.
In Atakumosa West Local Government Secretariat, ex-member of Osun State House of Assembly, Festus Komolafe, led elected APC members into the premises.
They however came out a few minutes after.
In Egbedore Local Government secretariat, Awo, PDP members wielding cane were singing at the entrance to the secretariat, daring APC members to come near them.
In Ayedaade LGA, APC members, it was learnt, resumed at the secretariat located in Gbongan.
But members of the party that attempted to take over Olorunda local government secretariat, in Igbona, Osogbo were resisted, leading to tension in the area.
The Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mr. Remi Omowaiye, alleged an attack on his convoy near Ilesa West secretariat by PDP thugs. Omowaiye claimed his driver was injured by a bullet, and two security aides sustained injuries. The vehicles in his convoy were riddled with bullets.
Omowaiye said, “PDP-sponsored thugs attacked us, despite intelligence warning us to avoid the secretariat. My office in Ilesa West is currently under attack by these hoodlums. This must not continue.”
Reacting to the violence, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun ordered additional tactical squads to Osun State.
In a statement by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the police condemned the violence, describing it as a threat to democracy and public safety.
In response to the ongoing violence in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned, in strong terms, the incidents that have disrupted peace and safety in the state, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. These violent actions had disrupted the peace, leading to the destruction of property, and the unfortunate loss of innocent lives,” the statement read.
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