• Alleges Oyetola conniving with police, DSS
• S’West PDP, group task NBA, security agencies, others over escalating tension
• Adeleke urges residents to stay away from council offices
• Gov. condoles with victims of illegal takeover bid

The Osun State Caucus in the National Assembly has faulted the forceful takeover of the council secretariats statewide.The caucus accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of allegedly masterminding the move.

The lawmakers, while describing the development as a clear invitation to anarchy, accused Oyetola, who is the immediate past governor of the state, of conniving with the Commissioner of Police, the Director of State Services (DSS) and the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to unleash mayhem in Osun.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to properly advise the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Osun State on the futility of their barbaric actions and guide them appropriately on the true position of the law on this matter.

The caucus lamented that the desperate act, in connivance with security agents, is taking its toll as scores of PDP members, council workers, and other innocent persons had been shot, brutalised, and harassed by APC thugs and security men in the last few hours.

MEANWHILE, the Southwest zone of the PDP and National Action Group (NAG), yesterday, called on all stakeholders in Yorubaland to urge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC, to tread carefully over the ongoing tension in Osun State, saying that it may snowball into serious mayhem if not nipped in the bud.

The PDP, which vehemently condemned the escalating political tension in the state, said the development, stemming from the ongoing dispute over council leadership, paints a worrisome picture of political instability and potential unrest ahead of the state.

Spokesman of Southwest PDP, Sanya Atofarati, particularly referenced what he described as the unwarranted activities of Oyetola. National Chairman of NAG, Dr Olusanya Awosan, said the state is currently on the brink, calling on all stakeholders to ensure that peace returns to the state.

The group called on the governor and Oyetola to prioritise the safety and security of the people of Osun State above all, advising that both leaders should engage in constructive dialogue, de-escalate tensions, and seek a swift and amicable resolution to the ongoing dispute through legal and constitutional means.

It also urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to urgently intervene in the matter and explore all legal avenues to prevent further escalation, adding that security agencies should uphold their duty to protect lives and property in the state.

HOWEVER, no fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed while many suffered varying degrees of gunshot injuries during a fracas that erupted when some hoodlums, allegedly working for the PDP and the APC, attempted to take over administrative control of activities in the council secretariats in the state.

The Guardian learnt that that the same situation happened at the Atakumosa West Local Council Secretariat after a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Festus Komolafe, allegedly led elected APC members into the premises.

Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs in the state, Soji Ajeigbe, who spoke with journalists, alleged that a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the former administration of Gboyega Oyetola, Adebayo Adeleke, led some notorious thugs to Boripe Local Council.
uming in his office in Ilesa.

Meanwhile, the governor has directed Osun residents, including politicians across political divides, to stay away from council secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.

The governor, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said that since the council workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

Adeleke, who condoled with families of the victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs, assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and property affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local council secretariats.