Kehinde Fajobi
Violence erupted in Osun State on Monday, February 17, over the leadership tussle in local government councils, leaving six people dead.
Among the casualties was Remi Abass, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, confirmed that five members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also killed.
In response, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered the immediate closure of all local government councils to prevent further unrest.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had earlier directed local government workers to withdraw from duty for their safety.
The crisis stemmed from an attempt by local government chairmen and councillors, elected under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, to resume office.
They cited a February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which overturned a Federal High Court judgement that had removed them.
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However, the state government argued they could not return due to another ruling from the Federal High Court in Osogbo in a case filed by the Action People’s Party (APP), which also nullified their tenure.
Governor Adeleke, alongside the Commissioner for Justice, Jimi Baba, and Alimi, insisted that the chairmen and councillors remained sacked despite the appeal court’s decision.
But APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and the party’s legal adviser, Adegoke Ogunsola, maintained that the officials were legally reinstated by the appellate court ruling.