Osun Governor Orders Residents To Avoid LG Secretariats Amid Clashes

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Osun State residents, including politicians across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.

The call came on the heels of different interpretations of the judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal by the State government and the opposition All Progressives Party on the reinstatement of the sacked local government chairmen in the State.

Voice of Nigeria reports that the Court of Appeal had last week Monday in its ruling, upheld the APC appeal, seeking for the reinstatement of the sacked council officials among other reliefs granted by the Court.

In a release signed by the governor’s spokesman, Mr Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said since the local government workers were on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

“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 said.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties.

Allegations and counter-allegations

Meanwhile, both the governor and the opposition party have been making claims and counter-claims about the shooting and killing of their members.

While the governor alleged that APC killed its members, the leadership of the APC also condemned the killing and maiming of its members in the state.

The APC alleged Governor Adeleke of setting the state on fire by refusing to obey the court order that reinstated the sacked APC elected council Chairmen and Councillors.

Addressing a Press Conference on Monday in Osogbo, the APC Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal alongside the Executive Director Federal Housing Authority, Remi Omowaiye expressed sadness over the killings that took place across the state.

According to him, among those reportedly killed by gunmen was the elected Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr Remi Abass.

“We have casualties everywhere. Our Chairmen and Councillors that resumed to work were attacked and properties destroyed. But I want to tell the whole world that we will continue to go to office. We call on President Tinubu, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation to come to the rescue of Osun people,” he said.

Consequently, Alhaji  Lawal call for immediate arrest of those that perpetrated the killings, stressing that the law must take its due course.

Confidence Okwuchi