After LG chairman’s killing, CSOs ask Tinubu to step in on Osun crisis

Two civil society organisations (CSOs) in Osun State, the Initiative for Local Government Development and the Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, have urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state over what they described as persistent disobedience to court orders on local government administration.

The groups accused the Osun State Government of willfully disregarding lawful judgments of the Court of Appeal, warning that the situation has escalated into violence and claimed lives.

Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo over the weekend, spokespersons of the organisations, Juliet Kanyinsola Adebayo, Faith Ayomide Adeniyi and Opeyemi Amusan, said the refusal of Governor Ademola Adeleke to comply with appellate court rulings had created a breakdown of constitutional authority in the state.

They cited the killing of the Chairman of Irewole Local Government,  Remi Abass, as a tragic consequence of the crisis.

“Tragically, this lawlessness has already claimed innocent lives. We state clearly and without equivocation that the refusal of Governor Ademola Adeleke to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal created the atmosphere of violence that led to these deaths,” the groups said.

According to them, Abass was killed by political thugs within the premises of the Irewole Local Government Secretariat in Ikire, describing the incident as evidence of a descent into anarchy.

“A democracy where elected or lawfully recognised officials are murdered in their offices has collapsed into anarchy,” they added.

The CSOs called on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to urgently intervene, warning that failure to act could result in further loss of lives.

They referenced the Senate’s intervention in Rivers State, noting that similar action was necessary in Osun to prevent a worsening crisis.

They also urged the Inspector-General of Police to accelerate investigations and ensure the arrest and prosecution oUvOsun Statef all those responsible for the killing of Hon. Abass.

“While some suspects are currently facing trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja, security agencies must ensure that those still at large are immediately apprehended,” the groups said.

Calling on President Tinubu to act, the organisations appealed for a declaration of a state of emergency in Osun State, strictly in line with constitutional provisions, to restore the rule of law, enforce court judgments and protect lives and property.

They maintained that the ongoing local government impasse, loss of lives and looming security threats informed their call for emergency rule in the state.