CSOs URGE PRESIDENT TINUBU TO DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN OSUN, GOVERNOR ADELEKE REJECTS CALL
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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 ongoing political crises over the control of local government areas involving the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition, which includes the Centre for Justice Initiatives (CJI), Community Advocacy and Initiative for Local Government Development (ILGD), and Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, Nigeria (CJCAN), alleged that the parties involved have resisted constitutional and political interventions.
In a statement signed by Kanyinsola Adebayo, spokesperson for ILGD, the group accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of “brazen and dangerous disregard for the judgments of the Appeal and Supreme Courts,” particularly those recognizing APC-led chairmen and councillors as lawful administrators of local governments in the state.
“Constitutional order has collapsed in Osun State,” the statement read. “The government’s misrepresentation and distortion of clear court judgments, refusal to obey court verdicts, and continued illegal interference in the administration of local governments have placed it above the Constitution. Governance in Osun is no longer carried out in accordance with the law.”
The coalition urged the President to intervene “strictly within the confines of the Constitution” to restore the rule of law, enforce court judgments, and protect citizens.
Reacting, Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, described the call for emergency rule as a “continuation of a failed plot by the Osun APC leadership to seize power through the backdoor.” He alleged that the APC had deliberately mismanaged local government funds, forcefully occupied councils, and sought to provoke violence to blame the state government.
“How can any sane person blame Governor Adeleke when it was the APC illegal chairmen who had criminally hijacked the local government and refused to quit office after the expiration of their self-awarded tenure?” Adeleke said.
The governor directed the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gothan, to monitor and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, and called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take note of the developments and deploy personnel as necessary.
Local government administration in Osun has long been plagued by conflicts between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC over control of councils. Past clashes have turned deadly, including the killing of the then-chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Remi Abbas, and five others during violent disputes between party members.
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