Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over escalating political violence in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Frank accused Oyetola, a former governor of Osun State, of orchestrating unrest in a bid to make the state ungovernable for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He alleged that Oyetola and his APC allies were behind the recent violent clashes between APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters over control of local government secretariats, which have reportedly claimed lives.
“Intelligence at our disposal has revealed that Oyetola’s strategy is to destabilize Osun State and create a crisis severe enough to justify the declaration of a state of emergency,” Frank stated.
The crisis erupted after a Court of Appeal judgment was interpreted differently by both parties, leading to a standoff over the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen.
While Governor Adeleke insists the ousted officials cannot return due to security concerns, Oyetola has vowed to enforce the court’s ruling through legal means.
Frank also criticized APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, for publicly suggesting that the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in Osun to curb the violence.
“They know that if elections are held today, Governor Adeleke will win again, so their plan is to derail his administration through violence and federal interference,” Frank warned.
The former APC spokesperson urged Nigerians to resist what he described as an “anti-democratic plot” by Oyetola and his allies, stressing that Osun people must stand firmly behind Adeleke against external intimidation.
“Despite ruling Osun for four years, Oyetola has nothing to show in terms of development. Meanwhile, Adeleke has achieved significant progress in just two years. This desperation to forcefully reclaim the state through crisis must be stopped,” Frank added.
He called on President Tinubu to intervene and prevent further bloodshed, warning that if the situation worsens, both Oyetola and the President would be held accountable.
