LG dispute: Gov Adeleke rejects calls for emergency rule in Osun
Osun State Governor Rejects Calls for State of Emergency
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed recent requests for a state of emergency in the region, labeling them as politically motivated efforts to incite instability.
In a statement released on Saturday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor criticized the calls, reportedly made by unnamed civil society groups, as part of an opposition strategy to undermine democratic governance in Osun. He stated that the demands did not reflect the current realities and were instead linked to ongoing political disputes over local government management.
Adeleke’s statement accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of actions that could amplify tensions at the grassroots level. He claimed that the opposition had previously disrupted local government operations by occupying council secretariats and interfering with allocated funds for community development.
“The call for a state of emergency is not supported by facts or law. Osun remains peaceful, and the government is firmly in control of the security situation,” he asserted. The governor attributed local government issues to the reluctance of some officials to vacate their posts after their tenures expired, which he deemed illegal.
On local government finances, the administration alleged that opposition figures had obstructed access to council funds, necessitating state intervention to ensure the payment of workers’ salaries. “While local government workers were abandoned, the state stepped in to fulfill its obligations and prevent hardship,” he added.
Despite these challenges, the governor noted that his administration had received praise for its approach to maintaining peace, emphasizing restraint, adherence to the rule of law, and ongoing collaboration with security agencies.
In response to the calls for a state of emergency, Adeleke warned against any further attempts to incite violence, stating that security agencies have been alerted to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order. He has directed the Commissioner of Police to monitor developments closely and thwart any plots aimed at destabilizing the state.
The governor appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to consider the circumstances in Osun, urging that political ambitions be pursued through electoral processes rather than unconstitutional means.
The calls for a state of emergency were made on Friday by two civil society groups, the Initiative for Local Government Development and the Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy. The groups cited ongoing disregard for court orders related to local government administration as a key factor in their request. Spokespersons for the organizations accused the state government of failing to comply with lawful court directives and emphasized that the current impasse, loss of lives, and potential crises necessitate intervention.
