There is heightened tension in Osun State as heavily armed police operatives have taken over local government secretariats across the state due to an ongoing dispute over leadership at the grassroots level.
This development followed a Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which upheld appeals filed by the chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
The affected chairmen and councillors were previously removed by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022. However, the recent appellate court decision in their favor has led to differing interpretations of the judgment.
While APC members argue that the ruling reinstates the ousted officials, the Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, maintains that the judgment does not equate to reinstatement. Alimi called on security agencies to ensure peace and protect lives and property amid the controversy.
Security operatives have been stationed at key local government secretariats in Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo, conducting checks on individuals entering and exiting the premises.
At the Osogbo Secretariat, members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) assisted in verifying staff identities.
In Ejigbo, eyewitnesses reported that police personnel arrived around 8:30 a.m., initially locking the entrance before reopening it.
A NULGE official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Police operatives suddenly appeared at the gate, preventing access. Our colleagues reached out to NULGE executives for clarification. Eventually, workers were allowed in after it was explained that security was tightened due to reports of an attempt by certain individuals to resume work.”
