Osun State Government has criticised the call by the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretary, Senator Ajibola for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

This development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent imposition of a statement of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday.

Senator Basiru had urged President Tinubu to consider a similar measure in Osun, citing Governor Ademola Adeleke’s alleged defiance of an Appeal Court Judgment reinstating APC-affiliated local government chairpersons.

Basiru remarked, “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.”

In a swift rebuttal, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, issued a statement condemning Basiru’s suggestion as callous and unlawful.

Alimi asserted that the situations in Rivers and Osun were fundamentally different and accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the state for political gains.

Alimi further alleged that the APC lacked the political support to challenge Governor Adeleke in elections, leading them to seek 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 President Tinubu to dismiss Basiru’s proposal, labelling it a wicked and baseless call.

Meanwhile, a political analyst, Michael Abimboye criticised Basiru’s call as unfortunate and satanic, suggesting it might be a ploy by the APC to incite unrest in Osun to justify federal intervention.

Abimboye stated, “The implication of Bashiru’s call is as troubling as it is senseless.”

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, recently recognised the reinstated APC-affiliated local government chairpersons in Osun.

This move has intensified the political standoff, with both the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accusing each other of unlawful actions.

The Osun State Government maintained that the APC’s actions are attempts to cause mayhem and make Osun ungovernable.

Residents of Osun have expressed varied opinions on the unfolding political drama.

Ifeanyi Okoro, a trader in Osogbo, remarked, “The call for a state of emergency is unnecessary. We need peace to conduct our businesses.”

Similarly, Adebisi Afolayan, a teacher from Ilesa East commented, “Political leaders should resolve their differences amicably without dragging the state into a crisis.”

Conversely, Tunde Bakare, a civil servant in Ede, opined, “If the state of emergency will restore order and ensure compliance with court orders, then it should be considered.”

However, Funke Adeyemi, a student in Ile-Ife, cautioned, “A state of emergency might disrupt academic activities and affect our studies negatively.”

Osun govt condemns APC’s call for state of emergency