Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed all Osun residents, including politicians from all parties, to stay away from local government secretariats to safeguard public property and prevent further violence.
The directive comes in response to an alleged illegal takeover attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has resulted in casualties and heightened tensions across the state.
There has been unrest since the early hours of Monday across the state as some APC members and sacked local government executives planned to resume duty after a court order.
It would be recalled that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC have been laying claim to control of the third tier of government as the APC claimed that the Court of Appeal judgement delivered last week has reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councillors while the State Government said the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
A supposedly reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass was reportedly killed by hoodlums working for the ruling PDP, after taking over the council secretariat in Ikire.
Also, the Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Remi Omowaiye escaped assassination en route to Osogbo by some suspected thugs.
On Monday evening, Governor Adeleke said only security agencies should be stationed at the secretariats to maintain order.
“I therefore direct all law-abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats, especially as they are expected to be under lock and key,” the governor stated.
The governor also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the violence, attributing the bloodshed to the APC and their hired thugs.
“PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members were from Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government. Another two were killed at Ola-Oluwa Local Government, and one more at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed,” Adeleke lamented.
Governor Adeleke reassured residents of their safety, affirming that security agencies have been deployed to take charge of all local government secretariats to prevent further violence.
The state government urges all residents to comply with the directive and allow security personnel to handle the situation professionally.
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