Osun: Police warn against LG takeover as violence erupts at motor parks

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Osun State Police Command has warned against the forceful takeover of local government secretariats and public institutions as violence erupted at some motor parks in Osogbo following the declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

The warning came amid reports that groups of individuals, some wearing yellow face caps associated with the Accord Party, stormed motor parks and local government council secretariats in different parts of the state in an apparent attempt to dislodge existing occupants and take control of the facilities.

The development triggered tension at some motor parks in the state capital, with rival transport factions reportedly clashing over control of the facilities.

Traders, passengers and other residents were said to have fled some areas following reports of gunshots during the clashes.

The latest incidents have added a fresh security concern to the aftermath of the August 15 governorship election, which ended with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Adeleke the winner.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police for the election, CP Samuel Etaifo, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police were concerned about reports of attempts by some individuals and groups to take over local government facilities while related matters remained before the courts.

The command warned that no political group or individual had the right to resort to self-help or use force to assume control of public institutions.

“The Police Command wishes to state clearly that no individual, political group, or association has the right to resort to self-help or the use of force to assume control of any Local Government Area or public institution while judicial proceedings are ongoing.

“All parties are urged to exercise patience and allow the courts to determine the matter in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

The police warned that anyone attempting to occupy or disrupt local government facilities would face arrest and prosecution.

“Any attempt to forcibly occupy or disrupt Local Government facilities will be viewed as a serious breach of the peace and dealt with decisively in accordance with the law, including the arrest and prosecution of persons found culpable,” it added.

The command also appealed to parents, community and traditional leaders, political and youth leaders and other stakeholders to restrain their supporters from actions capable of disrupting peace in the state.

The police warning followed reports of renewed tension at motor parks, where rival factions are laying claim to control of transport facilities.

Groups of individuals reportedly moved into some parks in Osogbo in an attempt to flush out those currently operating the facilities, leading to clashes and panic among commuters and traders.

The dispute over control of motor parks predates the governorship election.

Ahead of the August 15 poll, the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) inaugurated Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, as its state chairman following the takeover of several motor parks from the faction led by Nurudeen Alowonle.

The rival claims to the leadership and control of the parks have remained a source of tension in the state. The latest confrontation has raised concerns that the political developments following the election could further aggravate the dispute.

The controversy over the local government secretariats is also linked to a longstanding legal dispute over the tenure and control of the councils.

The councils are currently being occupied by chairmen elected in October 2022 during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

The chairmen have claimed that the Court of Appeal reinstated them and have approached the courts seeking an extension of their tenure.

They have also alleged that the Adeleke administration removed them from office.

The officials remained in the council secretariats until the declaration of Adeleke as winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

The police, however, said the existence of pending court proceedings made it unlawful for any party to use force to determine control of the facilities.