By Abigail Philip David
At least five people have been killed in violent clashes that erupted in Osun State on Monday as political functionaries of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to take over local government secretariats.
Among the deceased is former Irewole Local Government chairman, Remi Abass. Others identified by Osun State Commissioner for Protocols and Governmental Affairs, Soji Ajeigbe, include Damilare Oloyede and Taye, who were reportedly shot dead in Iragbiji and Boripe local government areas.
Addressing journalists in Iragbiji, Ajeigbe alleged that PDP members Damilare and Taye were killed by APC agents near the Boripe Local Government secretariat. Meanwhile, at a separate press briefing at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, party chieftain Alhaji Jamiu Olawumi accused PDP members of killing three APC members, including Abass, an unidentified councilor from Olaoluwa Local Government, and another APC member from Isokan Local Government.
Olawumi further stated that at least 15 reinstated council chairmen took office by 9:00 AM, with others following shortly after. However, he claimed they were forcefully removed by PDP-aligned thugs.
The APC vowed that all its reinstated council functionaries—recognized by the Appeal Court’s February 10, 2025, verdict—would continue reporting to their offices as mandated.
Widespread violence erupted across multiple local government areas as the sacked council chairmen attempted to reclaim their offices. Both parties remain locked in a dispute over the court ruling, with the APC asserting that the verdict reinstated the council officials elected under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, while the ruling PDP insists the appellate court did not make such a pronouncement.
