At least eight people, including a local government chairman, lost their lives in Osun State following violent clashes over control of council secretariats.
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The crisis erupted on Monday when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to resume office, leading to confrontations with suspected supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reports from both parties indicate casualties on both sides, with the APC claiming three of its members were killed, while the state government reported five PDP members lost their lives.
The dispute stems from a legal battle over the legitimacy of elected local government officials. While the APC points to an Appeal Court ruling reinstating its sacked chairmen and councillors, the Osun State government maintains that a Federal High Court in Osogbo had nullified their election.
In response to the violence, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered security agencies to take control of all council secretariats and urged an end to the bloodshed. The Osun State Caucus in the National Assembly has also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore calm.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s national leadership condemned the crisis, warning that the sacked officials could not forcefully reclaim their positions. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba accused the APC of inciting violence and called for restraint.
