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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Fear and apprehension have greeted residents of Osun State over the crisis that ensued following the federal high court’s judgement on the tenure elongation of local government chairmen in the state.
A civil society organisation has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu and the Director General of Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi warning of an alleged threat to public peace and possible outbreak of violence linked to the ongoing dispute over local government leadership following a recent court judgement.
In the petition dated June 21 and addressed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, by Adeniyi Ayomide, Director of Human Right and Safety Department, Leauge of Peace Ambassador, Humanity and Human Right Advocates, said it was raising the alarm based on what it described as intelligence reports and recent developments suggesting a risk of coordinated attacks on public facilities and disruption of order in parts of the state.
The organisation stated that tensions had already been observed in several communities, with reported incidents of violence on Friday in some areas, including Ede, Ifelodun and Ila local government areas, where attempts by political actors to take control of local government secretariats allegedly led to confrontations before security intervention restored calm.
It further claimed that intelligence available to it indicated that some individuals who purportedly emerged from the February 22, 2025 local government elections may be planning coordinated activities scheduled for today, June 22, across multiple parts of the state.
According to the petition, there are concerns about alleged mobilisation of political supporters and suspected hoodlums reportedly drawn from within and outside Osun State, including Niger Delta and neighbouring Oyo State.
The group alleged that the purported plans could involve coordinated attacks targeting individuals, destruction of public infrastructure and possible vandalisation or burning of local government secretariats, offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Police stations, political party offices and other public facilities.
It also claimed that certain political actors across the state’s three senatorial districts were allegedly coordinating the activities and listed several individuals from different local government areas, urging security agencies to investigate and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
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The petition partly read: “We understand that the alleged activities may be carried out simultaneously across the 30 local government areas of the state. This prospect is deeply concerning and has compelled us to alert the appropriate security authorities before the situation deteriorates.
“Recent developments appear to justify heightened vigilance. Reports indicate that some suspected hoodlums were arrested in Ile-Ife within the last 48 hours, while other individuals allegedly linked to political interests were reportedly apprehended elsewhere in the state. These incidents, if properly investigated, may provide useful leads for security agencies.
“The Nigeria Police Force may also recall that prior warnings were raised before the tragic killing of Remi Abass, Chairman of Irewole Local Government, during previous disturbances. We are concerned that a similar situation could arise again if preventive measures are not urgently implemented.
“As a civil society organisation committed to democratic governance, we firmly believe that political disagreements should be resolved through lawful and constitutional means. Democracy thrives on respect for the rule of law, judicial processes and the will of the people, not through violence, intimidation or self-help.”
It added that recent arrests of suspected hoodlums in Ile-Ife and other parts of the state, as well as reports of apprehensions linked to certain residences, should be thoroughly investigated for possible connections to the alleged plot.
It urged the Nigeria Police Force to immediately deploy adequate security personnel to all local government secretariats, INEC offices, political party offices and other critical infrastructure across Osun State to prevent any breakdown of peace.
The petition also called for the arrest and prosecution of anyone found to be planning, sponsoring or participating in activities capable of threatening public safety, as well as diligent investigation of individuals already arrested in connection with recent disturbances.
It emphasised that the local government dispute in Osun State remains subject to ongoing legal processes, stressing that all parties should allow the courts and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional duties without interference.
