Heavily armed police officers have taken over local government secretariats across Osun State amid a contest over who heads the grassroots in the state.
The development follows the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure that upheld appeals by the chairman elected under the All Progressives Congress in the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
The chairmen and councillors had been removed by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022. However, the Appeal Court ruled in their favour, sparking disagreements over the interpretation of the judgment.
APC members claimed that the ruling reinstated the sacked officials, but the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted that the judgment did not restore them.
Alimi urged security agencies to prevent any threats to public peace and safeguard residents’ lives and property.
Armed police officers were stationed at local government secretariats in Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo, with the officers checking those entering and going out. At the Osogbo Secretariat, National Union of Local Government Employees officials helped identify staff members.
At Ejigbo LG secretariat, sources said police arrived around 8:30 am, initially locking the gate before reopening it.
A NULGE official, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Police operatives suddenly showed up at the entrance. Our colleagues contacted NULGE officials when they weren’t allowed in. Eventually, workers were permitted inside. We were told police were deployed because some people threatened to resume work.”
Osun Police Command spokesman, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the deployment. He said, “We acted to prevent any breakdown of law and order. This is related to the Appeal Court verdict on the last local government election. Though we haven’t received any court ruling, we are monitoring the situation.”
