Osun emergency rule call rejected as Governor Adeleke accuses APC figures of fuelling local government unrest

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has rejected what he described as a Osun emergency rule call, accusing leaders of the All Progressives Congress of attempting to create instability to justify federal intervention.

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Governor Ademola Adeleke was reacting to appeals by some civil society groups for a declaration of a state of emergency in Osun over recent political tensions in the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Ademola Adeleke described the groups as faceless and alleged that the call reflected what he termed a failed plot by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji to “seize power through the backdoor”.

Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the APC was the main source of disturbance in Osun, accusing the party of paralysing local government administration, mismanaging local government funds and deploying police unlawfully.

He claimed that illegal occupation of local councils and disputes over tenure extension by some chairmen had contributed to the current tensions.

Governor Ademola Adeleke said his administration had maintained peace despite what he called sustained provocation and insisted there was no justification for emergency rule.

He added that the state government had continued to pay local government workers from state funds amid the dispute over council finances.

Governor Ademola Adeleke said he had directed the Commissioner of Police to monitor developments closely and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

He also called on the Inspector General of Police to pay attention to the situation.

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The governor urged political actors to seek power through the ballot, stating that Osun residents would not accept what he termed unconstitutional methods.