Group counsels Adeleke, OSSIEC against conduct of council poll amid crisis

A group-Coalition for Good Governance has counselled that Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) shelves the Saturday February 22,2025 proposed council election, owing to the violent environment in the state.

The Convener of the coalition Comrade Nelson Ekunjimi along with co-conveners; Comrade Gbenga Soloki and Comrade Rasheed Raji Oyewunmi made the call at a press conference held to call stakeholders in the Osun state polity to reason about the fact that many lives were needlessly lost and consequently many frayed nerves arise due to the reign of terror that pervades the state, for which it will be suicidal to go ahead with the conduct of the election.

“We urge all the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) not to go ahead with the election they should put it on hold as a mark of honour of lives lost in the crisis.

“All efforts must be harnessed to ensure peace not endangering the lives and properties of the people of Osun state, the February 22, council election must be put on hold as the environment is already riddled with violence.

“We are troubled that Security in a hitherto peaceful Osun State is being stretched by actions of political actors.

“Regrettably, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has not been able to show the deserving and needed leadership and it’s unfortunate and sad.

“His decision to go ahead with a planned Local Government Election may further instigate tension and unrest in the state.

“We learn on good authority that the planned election is part of the state government schemes to provoke crises in the state in order to demonize President Bola Tinubu and and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.”

“As keen Observers of polity and political events in Osun State, we are of the firm belief that the Security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Security have discharged their constitutional responsibilities dutifully and professionally.

“They have decently managed the carnage that took place in Osun State. Hence, we were aghast when Governor Ademola Adeleke, his nephew David Adeleke (Davido) and state officials continued to hurl strong allegations against these patriotic Nigerians.

Commenting on the counter accusations between the ruling political party-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition party the All-Progressives Congress (APC) on the gory tales trailing the crisis in Osun state, the coalition urged the security agency to wade into the situation by investigating named perpetrators to ensure those culpable face wrath of the law for their crimes.

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“All these allegations and counter allegations of assassination and murders by both the state government of Osun and the opposition APC are grave and capable of degenerating to Anarchy if poorly managed.

“Our investigation has revealed that name-calling and blackmailing of the Inspector General of Police is a ploy to divert the attention of the law enforcement agents from investigating and bringing to book perpetrators of Monday carnage in Osun State.”

It also urged the security agencies to invite the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Akogun Lere Oyewunmi and Hon Ibrahim Inaolaji for questioning over grave allegations of being complicit in the said plot to disturb the peace of the state.

“We want to implore the Nigerian Police, DSS and other security agencies in the country to extend their invitation to Senator Lere Oyewumi and Hon. Ibrahim Inaolaji in connection with the gruesome murder of Late Remi Abass.

“The security agencies must rise to the occasion and not allow this heinous crime to be swept under the carpet.”