Tensions escalated in Osun State on Monday as clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to gunfire, leaving two people reportedly shot in Boripe Local Government Area.
The crisis followed the resumption of reinstated local government executives, a move that has sparked a dispute between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The reinstatement was ordered by the Court of Appeal, allowing the sacked APC executives to return to office.
According to reports, APC executives resumed office early in the day, celebrating their return and asserting their control over the council. However, as they exited the premises, they were ambushed by PDP members, resulting in a violent confrontation that saw two people injured.
Security operatives from the Amotekun Corps arrived at the scene but faced resistance from APC members.
In Osogbo, APC supporters took control of the council secretariat in the Oke-Baale area, but the intervention of Governor Adeleke’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Muniru Raji, led to resistance. Later, Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, mobilized more PDP members, forcing the APC supporters out amid gunfire, leaving one person injured.
The unrest spread to other local government areas. In Ife Central, protests by PDP members against APC’s resumption caused a heavy gridlock along the Ibadan-Ikire Expressway. In Obokun, an uneasy calm prevailed as both party supporters gathered outside the locked council building.
In Irewole, PDP members prevented APC executives from resuming office by barricading the council premises. Meanwhile, in Ilesa East and Atakunmosa West, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, and former lawmaker Babatunde Komolafe, respectively, led APC supporters into council offices.
In Olorunda, heightened security was observed at the council secretariat, where PDP supporters, led by Commissioner for Rural Development, Gani Olaoluwa, gathered in large numbers.
The situation remains tense across the affected councils as security forces monitor developments.
