Tension escalated in Osun State on Monday as the sacked Local Government Chairmen attempted to take over secretariats in their respective Local Government Areas following the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure.Residents, especially those living around the council secretariats, were in a state of panic as sporadic gunshots filled the air.
New Telegraph reported that by 8:00 am on Monday, armed hoodlums had invaded several council area offices, including Osogbo and Olorunda, and began shooting indiscriminately.Many pupils and students on their way to school hastily returned home, while drivers avoided the affected areas.Unconfirmed reports indicated that several people had sustained injuries of varying degrees.
At Olorunda and Osogbo councils, the presence of security operatives deterred the hoodlums from gaining access to the government offices at the time of the report.Meanwhile, in Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government, which is the hometown of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, the reinstated local council chairman and councilors under the APC reportedly assumed duty amidst tight security.Similarly, at Atakunmosa West Local Government Area in Iperindo, the APC reportedly resumed activities despite unsuccessful attempts by PDP supporters to intervene.
Reports also revealed that the APC had taken over the Ayedaade council secretariat without encountering any obstacles.However, heavy resistance was encountered in Ede South Local Government Area as members and supporters of the ruling party prevented the reinstated LG chairman and councilor from assuming office.Timely deployment of security operatives on surveillance and patrol helped avert clashes between the rival political factions in the state.
Heavily armed security personnel have been deployed to all council secretariats to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.Governor Ademola Adeleke had raised an alarm on Sunday over an alleged attempt by his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, to forcibly reinstate the sacked council chairmen.In response to the allegations, Oyetola cited an order from the Court of Appeal in Akure, reportedly reinstating the chairmen who are members of the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state.
