Osun govt argued that the situations in Rivers and Osun States are fundamentally different.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Ademola Adeleke-led administration in Osun State has condemned the call by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Osun govt made its feeling known after the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru urged President Tinubu to consider imposing a state of emergency in Osun State like he did in Rivers State, citing Governor Adeleke’s alleged defiance of an Appeal Court Judgment reinstating APC-affiliated local government chairpersons.
“It is hoped that the Osun Governor takes a cue from this development and allow the court reinstated local government councils to operate as otherwise a state of emergency may also be apposite.” Basiru said
Responding via swift statement, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, condemned Basiru’s suggestion, describing it as “callous and unlawful”.
He asserted that the situations in Rivers and Osun States are fundamentally different and accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the state for political gains.
Alimi went on to allege that APC’s lack of political support to challenge Governor Adeleke in elections led them to start seeking power through undemocratic means.
Referencing recent incidents where APC members attempted to enforce non-existent court judgments to reinstate their local government officials, Alimi claimed the actions nearly plunged the state into chaos.
“On the unwarranted and unnecessary political crisis created by the APC in Osun, as a reminder, three cases are now pending before the courts of law.
“The one instituted by the duly elected local government Chairmen challenging the Yes/ No APC local govt chairmen usurping what is not theirs, thereby calling for their removal from all the Councils Secretariats. This has been slated for hearing on the 17th of April, 2025.
“The second is the case instituted by Osun NULGE, fixed for April 15, 2025 for hearing and
“The 3rd case has to do with contempt proceedings instituted by APP but yet to be given a date for hearing,” he said.
The Commissioner also highlighted pending legal cases concerning the legitimacy of local government officials, maintaining that these matters should be resolved judicially rather than through federal intervention.
He urged the president to dismiss Basiru’s proposal, labelling it a wicked and baseless call.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, March 18, imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly.
