A coalition of civil society organisations in Osun State has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing the lingering crisis over control of local government councils between the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition, made up of the Centre for Justice Initiatives (CJI), Community Advocacy and Initiative for Local Government Development (ILGD), and Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, Nigeria (CJCAN), said the political tension has continued to worsen despite constitutional and political efforts to resolve it.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ILGD, Kanyinsola Adebayo, the group accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of repeatedly ignoring judgments of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court which, according to them, recognised APC-backed chairmen and councillors as the legitimate local government administrators in the state.
The coalition claimed the state government has continued to distort court rulings, refuse to comply with judicial decisions, and interfere unlawfully in local government administration.
They argued that the situation had reached the point of a “constitutional breakdown,” insisting that governance in the state was no longer being carried out in line with the Constitution.
The group therefore urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency, stressing that it should be done within constitutional limits and aimed at restoring the rule of law, enforcing court judgments, and protecting residents.
However, Governor Adeleke rejected the call, describing it as politically motivated.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said the CSOs pushing for emergency rule were acting with hidden intentions and accused the Osun APC leadership of trying to seize power through the backdoor after failing to win elections.
He also alleged that the APC was responsible for the non-release of local government funds in the state and accused its members of forcefully occupying council secretariats in an attempt to trigger violence and blame his administration.
Read Also;
Nigerian Army Graduates 589 Soldiers After Pre-Deployment Training in Kontagora
Adeleke insisted that the APC chairmen were occupying office illegally, claiming their tenure had already expired.
The governor further called on security agencies to monitor individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the state, and directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gothan, to take action to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
He also urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to pay attention to the situation and deploy security personnel if necessary.
Osun State has faced recurring tension over local government control, with past clashes between APC and PDP supporters resulting in deaths, including the killing of former Irewole Local Government chairman, Remi Abbas, and five others.
