T he serene streets of Osun State descended into chaos on Monday, leaving a trail of sorrow and destruction that has sparked a fierce manhunt by the Nigeria Police Force. As the state braces for its local government election on Saturday, February 22, 2025, violent clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have claimed six lives, including prominent APC chieftain Remi Abass, and left many injured. The Osun State Police Command, led by Commissioner Mohammed Abba, has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, while the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) insists the polls will proceed as planned.
The Deadly Clash:
The unrest erupted when sacked local government chairmen and councillors, backed by the APC, attempted to reclaim their offices based on a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Akure that overturned their 2022 dismissal by the Osogbo Federal High Court. This move was met with fierce resistance from PDP supporters, who mobilized in large numbers to defend the council secretariats. The resulting violence, which saw armed clashes involving guns and machetes, left six dead and several hospitalized across multiple local government areas, including Irewole, Boripe, and Olorunda.
Remi Abass, the elected chairman of Irewole Local Government Area during the 2022 polls, was among the victims, allegedly shot at the secretariat entrance in Ikire. His burial, conducted according to Islamic rites on Tuesday at the Ikire Muslim Community burial ground, was attended by mourning APC leaders and associates, with state chairman Tajudeen Lawal condemning the killing as “inhuman, wicked, and callous.” Lawal has since ordered all other council chairmen to steer clear of their secretariats until further notice, a move seen as both a sign of respect and a tactical retreat.
Police Response:
In response, the Osun State Police Command, through spokesperson Yemisi Opalola, expressed deep regret over the violence and promised a thorough investigation. “The event left six people dead and many hospitalized,” Opalola said, adding that Commissioner Abba has assured that the culprits will face the “full wrath of the law.” Reinforcements arrived late Monday, with mobile policemen deployed from outside the state by Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, signaling the severity of the situation.
Opalola urged residents to remain calm, emphasizing Osun’s reputation as a peaceful state. “We won’t allow anyone to disrupt the peace of our state,” she declared, warning potential troublemakers to desist. The police have intensified patrols and engaged community leaders to restore order, but the tension persists, with many secretariats, like those in Olorunda and Osogbo, remaining locked and unguarded as of Tuesday.
Election Amid Crisis:
Despite the turmoil, OSSIEC, via its Information Officer Sadiat Isiaka, dismissed rumors that its office was sealed by the military, assuring that the local government election will go ahead on Saturday. “The premises of the commission are secure and safe, with a heavy presence of inter-agency security personnel, including police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Amotekun Corps, and Vigilantes,” Isiaka stated, countering fake news circulating online.
This election, long anticipated as a test of democratic stability, now faces heightened scrutiny. Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned against further violence, while the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, drawing parallels to the violent “Operation Wet-E” of the 1960s and the Ife-Modakeke clashes of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Public and Political Fallout:
Posts on X reflect a mix of fear, outrage, and calls for action. Users have criticized the police for perceived delays and questioned the political motivations behind the violence, with some alleging APC sponsorship of thugs and others urging a judicial resolution. The APC and PDP continue to trade accusations, with each blaming the other for escalating tensions.
Looking Ahead:
As Saturday approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The police manhunt, security reinforcements, and OSSIEC’s resolve to hold the election amid this crisis highlight the delicate balance between law enforcement and democratic process. Whether peace can be restored in time or if more violence will erupt remains uncertain, but the eyes of Nigeria—and indeed the world—are on Osun.
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