What’s Going On?
The political temperature in Osun State has hit boiling point as the All Progressives Congress (APC) calls for a state of emergency, accusing Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of a total collapse of governance. In a fiery statement, the APC claims that local governments are dysfunctional, the judiciary is under attack, and the state is being run like a family business.
But the Osun State government isn’t taking this lying down. They’ve fired back, calling the APC’s demand “unlawful” and “politically motivated.” So, what’s really going on in Osun? Let’s break it down.
The APC’s Explosive Allegations
The Osun APC didn’t hold back in their statement, dropping bombshell after bombshell. Here’s what they’re accusing Governor Adeleke of:
- Local Governments in Shambles: The APC claims that Adeleke has completely sidelined local governments, leaving them unable to function. They say this has left residents without essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- Judicial Interference: The party alleges that Adeleke tried to remove the state’s Chief Judge in 2023, leading to a months-long closure of courts. They argue this is a blatant attack on judicial independence.
- Political Witch-Hunt: The APC says Adeleke has been on a mission to undo everything his predecessor did, including removing traditional rulers appointed by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. They call this a “political vendetta disguised as governance.”
- Ignoring Court Orders: The APC is furious that Adeleke hasn’t complied with a February 2025 Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated APC-backed local government officials. They claim this disregard for the rule of law has emboldened violence against their members.
- Electoral Violence: The party accuses Adeleke of inciting violence during the 2022 and 2023 elections, which allegedly led to the death of a local government chairman, Remi Abass.
- Mass Layoffs: The APC says Adeleke sacked thousands of workers hired by the previous administration, including teachers and health workers, leaving families in distress.
- Wasteful Elections: The party slammed the recent local government elections, calling them a “wasteful exercise” that ignored federal directives and cost billions of Naira.
Why the Call for a State of Emergency?
The APC argues that Osun State is in such disarray that only a state of emergency can restore order. “There is no functional local government structure under this administration,” the statement reads. “Osun State has never had it this bad. Emergency rule is the only way to restore governance.”
They also accuse Adeleke of turning his Ede residence into a “power center,” sidelining legally reinstated officials and running the state by proxy through his siblings.
Osun Government Fires Back
Not surprisingly, the Osun State government isn’t taking these allegations lightly. In a swift rebuttal, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, called the APC’s demand “callous and unlawful.”
Alimi argued that the situations in Osun and Rivers State (where a state of emergency was recently declared) are completely different. He accused the APC of trying to destabilize Osun for political gain, claiming they lack the support to challenge Adeleke in elections.
Alimi also referenced recent incidents where APC members allegedly tried to enforce “non-existent court judgments” to reinstate their local government officials, which he said nearly plunged the state into chaos.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a political spat—it’s a crisis that could have real consequences for the people of Osun State. If local governments are truly non-functional, it means residents aren’t getting the services they need. If the judiciary is under attack, it undermines the rule of law. And if electoral violence is being incited, it threatens the very foundation of democracy.
The situation also raises bigger questions about governance in Nigeria. Are state governments becoming too powerful? Are local governments being sidelined? And what happens when the rule of law is ignored?
Read also: “Edo Assembly in Turmoil: Group Demands Speaker’s Removal as APC Claims Majority Status”
What’s Next?
As the drama unfolds, here’s what to watch for:
- Presidency’s Response: Will President Tinubu heed the APC’s call for a state of emergency?
- Legal Battles: Could the courts step in to resolve the dispute over local government administration?
- Public Reaction: How will the people of Osun respond to these allegations and counter-allegations?
- Political Fallout: Will this crisis weaken Adeleke’s administration or galvanize his supporters?
Key Takeaways
- The Osun APC has called for a state of emergency, accusing Governor Adeleke of collapsing governance.
- Allegations include dysfunctional local governments, judicial interference, and electoral violence.
- The Osun State government has dismissed the call as politically motivated and unlawful.
- The crisis highlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s governance and democratic institutions.
