The political tension in Osun State intensified on Sunday, as Governor Ademola Adeleke called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent what he termed an impending crisis orchestrated by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Adeleke accused Oyetola, the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, of inciting unrest by attempting to enforce the return of sacked local government chairmen. This move followed the February 10 Court of Appeal ruling, which reinstated the APC’s elected officials, who had been dismissed after the 2022 local government elections.
Oyetola swiftly denied the claims, countering that his record of peaceful governance over the past 15 years contradicted the accusations. He stated that Adeleke’s allegations were baseless, and argued that any violent behavior was never part of his leadership. Oyetola’s team emphasized that his appeal to security agencies was merely an attempt to uphold the Court of Appeal’s verdict.
Adeleke, speaking at a press conference, dismissed Oyetola’s calls as an invitation for chaos, asserting that the Court of Appeal’s judgment did not order the reinstatement of the ousted officials. He further accused Oyetola of instructing security chiefs in Osun to assist in the unlawful return of the APC officials. Adeleke appealed to President Tinubu to prevent any unlawful actions from being carried out in his name.
The dispute centers on conflicting court rulings regarding the validity of the 2022 local government elections, with the APC chairmen seeking to return to office following a partial victory in their appeal. Adeleke, however, insisted that the judgment merely struck out the PDP’s appeal without reinstating the chairmen. He warned that any attempt to force the issue would lead to anarchy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) announced the suspension of services in local government areas across Osun, citing fears for the safety of their members amid escalating tensions. The unions called for the protection of workers and the adherence to the rule of law to prevent further violence.
In response, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal criticized Adeleke’s statements as attempts to garner public sympathy, urging him to comply with the court’s judgment. Oyetola and APC legal representatives also insisted that the Court of Appeal’s decision was clear, dismissing Adeleke’s claims of any legal ambiguity.
As the situation develops, security chiefs in Osun have remained silent, with key officials failing to respond to inquiries regarding the accusations. The NLC and NULGE’s decision to withdraw their members from local government duties on February 17, 2025, adds a new layer of uncertainty to the ongoing crisis.
The public and political observers are closely watching for any developments that might escalate or resolve the deepening standoff between the Adeleke-led administration and the opposition APC.
