Two civil society organisations in Osun State have called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over what they described as persistent disobedience to court orders on local government administration.

The groups—the Initiative for Local Government Development and the Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy—accused the Osun State Government of wilfully disregarding judgments of the Court of Appeal, warning that the situation had degenerated into violence and claimed lives.

Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo over the weekend, spokespersons of the organisations, Comrade Juliet Kanyinsola Adebayo, Faith Ayomide Adeniyi and Opeyemi Amusan, said the refusal of Governor Ademola Adeleke to comply with appellate court rulings had resulted in a breakdown of constitutional authority in the state.

They cited the killing of the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, as a tragic outcome of the crisis.

“Tragically, this lawlessness has already claimed innocent lives. We state clearly and without equivocation that the refusal of Governor Ademola Adeleke to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal created the atmosphere of violence that led to these deaths,” the groups said.

According to them, Hon. Abass was killed by political thugs within the premises of the Irewole Local Government Secretariat in Ikire, describing the incident as evidence that the state was descending into anarchy.

“A democracy where elected or lawfully recognised officials are murdered in their offices has collapsed into anarchy,” they added.

The civil society organisations urged the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to intervene urgently, warning that inaction could lead to further loss of lives. They referenced the Senate’s intervention in Rivers State, arguing that similar steps were required in Osun to avert a worsening crisis.

They also called on the Inspector-General of Police to fast-track investigations and ensure the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the killing of Hon. Abass.

“While some suspects are currently facing trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja, security agencies must ensure that those still at large are immediately apprehended,” the groups said.

Appealing directly to President Tinubu, the organisations called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Osun State, strictly in line with constitutional provisions, to restore the rule of law, enforce court judgments and protect lives and property.

They said the ongoing local government impasse, loss of lives and emerging security threats informed their call for emergency rule in the state.