Two people were reportedly shot on Monday as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in violent clash in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that the that two individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the altercation between supporters of the parties following the resumption of reinstated council executives.
Report indicates that the crisis stems from an ongoing political dispute between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, regarding the return of sacked APC executives to office.
The Court of Appeal had recently reinstated the APC officials, leading to their return to power at various local government councils.
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According to sources, APC executives resumed office early Monday, celebrating their reinstatement and asserting control over the council.
However, as they were leaving the premises, they were reportedly ambushed by PDP members, leading to gunfire that left two people injured.
Security operatives from the Amotekun Corps arrived at the scene, but APC members allegedly resisted their intervention.
Elsewhere in Osogbo, APC members occupied the council secretariat at Oke-Baale. However, an aide to Governor Adeleke, Special Adviser on Political Matters Muniru Raji, mobilized PDP supporters to challenge their presence, leading to further resistance.
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Subsequently, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, led a larger PDP contingent to the council, successfully displacing the APC members. Gunshots were reported during the confrontation.
In Ife Central, the return of APC council executives sparked protests from PDP members, resulting in a heavy traffic gridlock along the Ibadan-Ikire expressway.
Meanwhile, in Obokun, an uneasy calm persisted as both APC and PDP members remained stationed outside the locked council offices.
At Irewole, PDP members successfully prevented APC executives from resuming office, blocking access to the council premises.
In Ilesa East, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, led the resumption of APC council executives, while ex-lawmaker Babatunde Komolafe played a similar role in Atakunmosa West.
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Tensions were also high in Olorunda, where heavy security was deployed at the council secretariat entrance. Scores of PDP members, led by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Gani Olaoluwa, were present to counter the APC executives’ return.
The situation remains volatile, with heightened security measures in place as political stakeholders continue to grapple over control of local government councils.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding further interventions to prevent an escalation of violence.
More details to follow as the situation unfolds.