Taiwo POPOOLA
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has dismissed recent calls for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, describing them as a continuation of what he termed a failed plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seize power through backdoor.
The governor was reacting to appeals by some civil society groups for emergency rule following recent developments in the state.
Adeleke, however, described the groups as “faceless” and alleged that the call was a desperate move orchestrated by former governor Gboyega Oyetola and APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Osogbo, Adeleke accused the APC of being the primary source of unrest in Osun, alleging that the party had paralysed local government administration, mismanaged council funds, and illegally deployed security personnel in the state.
According to him, the former governor and his associates are now “the most hated political actors in Osun” due to their actions at the local government level.
“The APC seized local government funds, mismanaged the same, and forcefully occupied the councils, all in a bid to provoke violence and conflict. This is a deliberate strategy to create chaos and blame it on the Adeleke-led administration,” the governor said.
Adeleke maintained that his administration has continued to preserve peace in the state despite what he described as open confrontation and persistent illegality by APC-aligned actors.
He said the call for emergency rule was borne out of frustration after their alleged plans failed.
“Osun APC has failed in its evil bid to destabilise the state, hence their resort to an open call for emergency declaration, for which there is no basis or justification,” he stated.
The governor questioned attempts to blame his administration for the crisis, insisting that the instability stemmed from what he described as the illegal occupation of local government councils by APC-backed chairmen whose tenures had expired.
He further accused the APC of hijacking local government funds in violation of financial regulations, while noting that his government had stepped in to pay local government workers who were allegedly abandoned.
Adeleke said his handling of the crisis has earned commendations from various quarters, adding that Osun has moved beyond the era of political violence.
“No individual or group will be allowed to further disturb the peace of Osun State. Anybody found creating public mayhem will face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
The governor disclosed that he had directed the state Commissioner of Police to monitor and prevent any attempt to plunge the state into conflict, while also calling on the Inspector-General of Police to take note of the situation.
He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by calling former governor Oyetola to order, warning that the actions of the minister could tarnish the image of the Presidency.
“Those seeking power should face the electorate. Political power is secured through the people; no backdoor access will work,” Adeleke added.
