The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has accused Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, of failing to manage the state's security situation following a spate of communal clashes and chieftaincy disputes.
Recent Communal Clashes and Rising Tensions
Osun State has witnessed a series of violent clashes involving land disputes and chieftaincy tussles in the past year, affecting communities such as:
- Ifon and Ilobu
- Ido-Osun and Halleluyah
- Ede and Ebedi
- Esa-Oke and Ido-Ajegunle
- Iragbiji, Igbajo, and Iree
These conflicts have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and injuries. In a recent clash, seven policemen were shot, and four people lost their lives.
Basiru’s Accusations Against Adeleke
Speaking to reporters in Osogbo, Basiru criticized the governor, claiming that his administration is fueling unrest through controversial chieftaincy approvals and failing to protect lives and property.
"The Governor is only giving false hope to residents of the state, pretending he is in control, but he is not. It is glaring that he has lost grip, as we continue to witness communal clashes characterized by killings, maiming, arson, and loss of properties."
"Unfortunately, Adeleke is a major instigator of these crises because he approved controversial chieftaincy matters that disrupted previously peaceful communities."
"Protection of life and property should be paramount to any responsible government, but Adeleke has failed in that, as well as in other areas. I can assure you that APC will put an end to this misrule in 2026 and restore Osun to the peaceful state it once was."
Osun Government’s Response: ‘Adeleke is in Charge’
In response, the Osun Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed Basiru’s allegations, describing them as politically motivated and baseless.
"It is quite unfortunate that Basiru is playing politics with this serious matter. Governor Adeleke has visited all the affected areas and has also set up panels of inquiry to resolve the issues."
"The accusations are useless, fallacious, and laughable. Adeleke is not responsible for the crisis; rather, he is actively working to restore peace."
What’s Next?
- The state government’s inquiry panels are expected to release findings and propose solutions to the conflicts.
- The security situation remains a critical concern, with residents calling for stronger intervention to prevent further violence.
- The APC and PDP political rivalry is intensifying ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election, as accusations over governance and security continue to emerge.
With Osun’s history of political and communal disputes, observers are watching closely to see if Adeleke’s government can restore peace or if tensions will continue to escalate.
