LG crisis: Ex-council boss, 3 others die as APC, PDP supporters clash in Osun

•Gov issues fresh directives

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Former Chairman of Irewole Local Government in Osun State, Remi Abass, has been killed, while attempting to enter the council at Ikire to execute the order of the Court of Appeal that reinstated him and others.

Abass and some other chairmen had resumed at their various local governments in apparent attempt to enforce the court order before they were resisted by hoodlums and he was killed at Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government.

Also, the Commissioner for Protocols and Government Affairs in the state, Soji Ajeigbe, claimed that two persons were killed at Boripe Local Government by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman who stormed the secretariat to take over.

When our correspondent visited Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, Ajeigbe said corpses of the victims had been taken to the hospital.

The PDP also claimed that one of its members was killed at Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area making three.

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

In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, yesterday, Adeleke posited that 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.

“I equally condole with families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local Government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed,” Adele said.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and property, affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.

When contacted, Yemisi Opalola, the police spokesperson said she was yet to be briefed on the incident. “I have not heard about the shooting incident, let me make enquiries,” Opalola said.

Last week, Adeleke said he received reports of a “sinister plot by elements within opposition parties to launch vicious attacks” on local government secretariats across the state.

The governor, in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, claimed that there were plans to target leaders of the PDP and senior officials of his administration.

The governor alleged that the plan was aimed at disrupting the forthcoming LG elections, and creating an atmosphere of chaos to push for the declaration of a state of emergency.

Also speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Adeleke accused Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of planning to cause mayhem in the state starting from yesterday.

The governor alleged that the minister was spearheading moves to enforce a court order that reversed the sack of local council chairmen elected on the platform of the APC in the state.

He also accused Oyetola of conspiring with several law enforcement agents, including the state commissioner of police and the state director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to destabilise the state.

Adeleke asked President Bola Tinubu to rein in Oyetola, whom he referred to as Tinubu’s nephew, adding that the people would not hesitate to protect themselves if the minister was not called to order.