Lawmakers representing Osun State in the National Assembly have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as an illegal attempt by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to forcibly take over local government councils in the state.
The Osun Caucus, led by Hon. Bamidele Salam, expressed outrage over the development, stating that it was a clear case of lawlessness orchestrated by the former governor and his allies.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja themed “In Defence of Democracy and the Rule of Law,” Salam decried what he termed a forceful and unlawful takeover of the local government secretariats by sacked officials backed by thugs and hoodlums.
“Today, the people of Osun woke up to a criminal takeover of the local government secretariats across the state by these sacked officials, who forcefully broke into the premises aided by armed thugs. They have been shooting sporadically, wreaking havoc, and disrupting peace,” he said.
He accused security agencies of complicity, lamenting that despite a subsisting court judgment nullifying the officials’ election, they relied on a separate ruling to justify their return. “Sadly, this is being perpetrated with the support of some security personnel, despite a court ruling that upheld their removal”.
“We are aware that these acts are being carried out under the directive of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, and some APC leaders in the state, with the cooperation of heads of security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, the Director of State Security Service, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” he added.
The lawmakers described the situation as an invitation to anarchy, warning that it had shattered the relative peace the state had been enjoying under Governor Ademola Adeleke.
They questioned why the APC, after purchasing forms and participating in the upcoming local government election scheduled for February 22, would resort to violent takeover attempts.
“It baffles any right-thinking person how the same party and its leaders, after engaging in the election process, would insist on reinstating sacked officials through force, disrupting the state’s peace,” Salam said.
Reports of violence and casualties have continued to emerge. According to Salam, APC thugs, allegedly working with security agents, have attacked and injured PDP members, local government workers, and innocent residents.
“At Isokan Local Government, three PDP members were reportedly shot dead by APC thugs. At Boripe, PDP members holding a peaceful meeting were attacked by MOPOL officers and thugs loyal to the Minister. In Boluwaduro, notorious thug Asiri Eniba led an assault, shooting sporadically. At Ayedaade, an APC attack left a PDP member dead, while several others were wounded. In Ilesa East, APC thugs wielded machetes, attacking PDP members at the local government secretariat,” he stated.
Condemning what they described as an attempt to seize power through violence and abuse of federal influence, the lawmakers called on Tinubu to take immediate action.
“We alert the President and the international community about this unfortunate occurrence. We urge Mr. President to direct the Inspector General of Police to restore law and order. The National Security Adviser and the Attorney General should also caution the APC in Osun against this lawlessness,” they stated.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their support for Governor Adeleke, vowing to resist any undemocratic attempts to subvert the law. “As representatives of the people, we stand firmly with the Osun State Government in this matter, in defense of democracy and the rule of law,” Salam declared.
