The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of colluding with the All Progressives Congress to enforce what it described as a “non-existent” court order aimed at reinstating former local government chairmen in the state.
The Chairman of Osun PDP, Sunday Bisi, made the allegations while addressing journalists at the party’s state secretariat in Osogbo.
Bisi accused the IGP of deploying Special Forces to escort the sacked chairmen and councillors into local government offices, claiming that the move was part of a larger plot to destabilize the state and potentially assassinate Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“The deliberate deployment of Special Forces to escort miscreants into local government councils is a blatant coup and one of many plans to assassinate the governor,” Bisi alleged.
He further accused the IGP of betraying the governor’s trust, stating, “The security reinforcement discussed with the governor was deliberately abused by the IGP. This has created dangerous pathways for troublemakers to wreak havoc in the state.”
The PDP also claimed that the APC has been plotting to undermine Governor Adeleke’s administration since losing the 2022 elections, warning the IGP to desist from enabling violence and chaos.
“The whole world must warn and prevail on Mr Kayode Egbetokun to desist from being an enabler of orchestrated attempts on the life of our Governor. These plans we want to emphasize, have been on the cards of the APC in Osun State since the good people of Osun State voted them out of office in 2022,” he said.
The crisis erupted on Monday when APC members attempted to enforce the Court of Appeal’s judgment by resuming at council secretariats across the state.
This move was met with resistance from PDP supporters, leading to violent clashes that claimed six lives, including that of APC chieftain Remi Abass, and destroyed properties.
Despite the chaos, the chairmen and councillors resumed office in several local government areas on Wednesday, sparking renewed tensions between the two political parties.
Similarly, the Osun State House of Assembly condemned the takeover of local government secretariats by the APC, describing it as undemocratic.
The Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, called on President Tinubu to intervene and protect democracy in the state.
Egbedun also urged the IGP to evict the sacked officials and restore confidence in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Today, members of the opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, forcefully broke into the local government secretariats across the state. This unlawful invasion is not only a direct attack on our democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order.
Even more disturbing is the fact that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law, were present while these illegal acts were being carried out. This is unjust, unlawful, and unacceptable. Law enforcement agencies must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities.
“We call on security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to protect government institutions and ensure that those responsible for this act of illegality are prosecuted.
“This unlawful invasion is a direct attack on our democratic institutions and a violation of the rule of law,” Egbedun stated.
He also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence.
Responding to the PDP allegations, the APC spokesperson in Osun State, Kola Olabisi, criticized the PDP chairman for what he termed unnecessary attacks on the IGP, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
“Sunday Bisi is shedding crocodile tears,” Olabisi said, accusing the PDP of orchestrating the violence that resulted in the death of Hon. Remi Abass, the APC Chairman of Irewole Local Government Council. He also alleged that PDP thugs attempted to assassinate other APC chieftains by attacking their vehicles.
Declaring Osun PDP and Adeleke as the aggressors, Olabisi asked, “Does the embattled state PDP chairman want to tell the good people of Osun State that it was not the hired thugs of his party that killed our serving chairman of Irewole Local Government Council Area of the state, Hon Remi Abass, in a coordinated attack on Monday in Ikire?
PUNCH