The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has condemned the forceful takeover of local government councils in Osun State by All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen recently reinstated by the court.
The forum warned against the resort to self-help and called for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further escalation of violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the PDPGF expressed deep concern over the political violence that erupted in the state, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.
The governors noted that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier raised the alarm over the potential breakdown of law and order but was ignored.
“The concern of the PDPGF stems from the fact that Governor Adeleke had warned about the imminent breakdown of law and order and appealed to the responsible authorities to act to forestall this,” the statement read.
Condemning the use of violence to settle political and legal disputes, the PDPGF called on all parties to abide by the law rather than take matters into their own hands.
“The Forum further notes with deep worry the resort to violence as a means of settling political and legal disputes and warns all those fanning the embers of discord to desist forthwith,” the governors stated.
The forum commended Governor Adeleke for his proactive approach in addressing the crisis and reiterated its support for his leadership.
“The PDPGF commends the Governor of Osun State for the timely warning in the form of statements he issued before these political actors resorted to violence. His action is a mark of exemplary leadership.”
Urging President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, and other law enforcement agencies to act swiftly, the PDPGF stressed the need to restore law and order before the situation spirals out of control.
“The PDPGF appeals to His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of DSS, the Inspector General of Police, and the heads of other law enforcement agencies to, without further delay, contain the situation in Osun State, restore law and order, and guarantee the preservation of lives and property.”
The statement emphasised that leadership should be about service to the people, not violence and bloodshed.
“Political leadership should be about patriotic sacrifice and service to the people, not about bloodbath and violent criminal conduct. There are no partisan divides or ideological divisions when it comes to the protection of lives and property. Every political leader should be working towards the safety, protection, and welfare of the people,” the forum said.
The PDPGF called for the quick identification and prosecution of those responsible for the violence, stressing the need for a return to peace in Osun State.
“The PDPGF is desirous of seeing a full and total return of normalcy in Osun State, the restoration of law and order, and the quick identification and decisive trial of all those charged with violent disruption of the peace,” the statement concluded.
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