The political landscape in Osun State has been rocked by escalating violence, following a bitter clash between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen. The crisis, which erupted on Monday, February 17, 2025, has led to multiple fatalities and injuries, leaving the state in turmoil.
The conflict was sparked when the APC-backed chairmen, dismissed under the previous PDP administration, attempted to return to office following a controversial Court of Appeal ruling. The ruling, issued last week, was interpreted by the APC as a reinstatement of the chairmen, though the PDP, which holds the state government, disputes this interpretation. Tensions reached a boiling point when these sacked chairmen tried to forcefully take control of local government secretariats across the state.
In response, PDP members resisted the attempts, resulting in violent confrontations that quickly spiraled out of control. Reports indicate that at least five PDP members and two APC members, including one of the reinstated chairmen, lost their lives in the clashes. Several others were injured. Eyewitnesses have described scenes of chaos, with security forces struggling to maintain control and prevent further bloodshed.
The violence prompted an urgent appeal for peace from the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, who expressed grave concern over the growing instability. The traditional ruler called on politicians in the state to prioritize peace and warned that any further destruction would be met with severe consequences. "We are one family, and any harm done to one will affect us all," he stated, appealing to all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the state's reputation as a land of virtue.
In the midst of the violence, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has publicly called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to call his nephew, Minister Gboyega Oyetola, to order. Adeleke accused Oyetola of fueling the crisis by allegedly collaborating with security agencies to implement a non-existent court ruling, which he argued was only aimed at destabilizing the state. The governor stressed that the actions of Oyetola and his supporters were creating chaos and undermining the peace in Osun.
Governor Adeleke's call for intervention has drawn mixed reactions. The APC swiftly dismissed the allegations, with the party’s spokesperson accusing Adeleke of attempting to deflect attention from the legal process. The APC maintains that the court ruling indeed reinstated the chairmen and that the actions taken by Oyetola were in accordance with the law.
Despite the political back-and-forth, the violence has intensified, with reports of further clashes in several local government areas. As the situation escalates, Governor Adeleke ordered the closure of all local government secretariats in Osun in an attempt to prevent further bloodshed and restore order. The security agencies, though present, have faced criticism for their failure to prevent the violence and effectively manage the situation.
What we know so far is that the crisis is rooted in a deep political divide over the status of the local government chairmen, with both the APC and PDP fiercely defending their positions. While the court ruling appears to have reignited old tensions, it is clear that the violence in Osun is not just about the chairmen—it is about the broader struggle for power within the state.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on President Tinubu, who faces mounting pressure to step in and address the political crisis in the state. The stakes are high, as the violence threatens to undermine not just the local government system in Osun but also the broader peace and stability of the region.
For now, the people of Osun can only hope for a swift resolution to the crisis. However, with political and traditional leaders at odds, and with no clear path to peace, the future of Osun State remains uncertain.