Timi Frank calls on Tinubu to rein in APC in Osun

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and rein in Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, along with his APC operatives in Osun State. Frank’s appeal comes as violent clashes between APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters over control of local government areas escalate in the state.

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In a statement made available to The Guardian on Tuesday, Frank claimed that intelligence indicates Oyetola’s current strategy is to render Osun ungovernable for Governor Ademola Adeleke. He alleged that Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, and his cohorts are deliberately fuelling a crisis to justify declaring a state of emergency.

“Their major target is to declare a state of emergency because they know that if the elections are allowed to hold today, Governor Adeleke will still win,” Frank said. He warned that if the crisis deteriorates further, both Oyetola and President Tinubu, as Commander-In-Chief, could be held accountable for the ensuing chaos.

The violence erupted on Monday as tensions flared over the control of local government secretariats. A Court of Appeal ruling has been interpreted differently by the APC and the PDP. While Governor Adeleke insists that the sacked council chairmen should not return to office for security reasons, Oyetola maintains that the ruling must be implemented in accordance with the law, adding that the council executives should have resumed their duties promptly.

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Frank also criticised the conduct of the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who, on live television on Monday evening, suggested that the Federal Government declare a state of emergency in Osun to curb what he described as attacks on unsuspecting farmers by “uncontrollable PDP thugs.”

Frank condemned this rhetoric, asserting that such measures are merely a ploy to disrupt the electoral process and force an abortive crisis, thereby undermining Governor Adeleke’s prospects for a second term.

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A seasoned advocate of democratic principles, Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged all well-meaning Nigerians to stand up for democracy.

“What is happening in Osun State is sheer impunity, dictatorship and arrogance on the part of the APC,” he warned. “We call on the people of Osun to stand strongly with Governor Adeleke and resist the intimidation and criminality orchestrated by those who seek to capture the state by force.”