The ante around the bloody political battle that erupted in Osun State on Monday, has gained in intensity with the All Progressive Congress (APC), looking in the direction of the Federal Government imposing a state of emergency in the state as a solution.
The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the state, led by Ademola Adeleke, Governor of the State and Gboyega Oyetola, his predecessor, now Minister of Blue Economy, have been engaged in bitter political feud in what is seen as a preparation for another contest by next year, after the formers defeat three years ago, that ended his tenure.
On its part, the PDP, which is warming up for local government elections this Saturday, has, however shot down the idea, claiming instead that the main opposition party in the state should be held responsible and punished adequately.
The two positions were canvassed on Monday night, when spokespersons of the parties made their cases while appearing on Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, the same day the mayhem sponsored by those contesting for the administration of the local governments in the state, led to the killing of about six persons.
Ajibola Basiru a Senator and National Secretary of the APC, told the host that imposition of a state of emergency should be considered as one to the best options to end the orgy of killings in the state, accusing the PDP of attempts to stand democracy and rule of law on their heads.
Kolapo Alimi, Osun State Commissioner for Information, who defended both the PDP and the government of Ademola Adeleke, in a pushback against the suggestion for emergency rule in the state, accused the APC of staging the mayhem, for just that purpose.
Basiru, in his argument, said: “I will suggest that perhaps it will be necessary for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency. It has gotten to that stage where hapless people coming from farms are attacked by uncontrollable PDP thugs.
But Alimi countering, fired back: “I call on our amiable president to reject the call of Honourable Bashiru and his cohorts. That is exactly what they are targeting. They deliberately caused mayhem in this state. We are going to publish the names of our members that have been killed. There is no court of appeal that restored them, we urge them to toe the line of peace.”
The crisis which had been brewing recently got to a head when some Chairmen and Councillors across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas claiming to have been reinstated tried to resume office at their respectful council headquarters, in what they said was to enforce a Court of Appeal ruling in compliance with the rule of law.
Remi Abbas, former Chairman of Irewole LGA, was confirmed to be one of the victims, who died in the conflict while trying to return to his position during the attempt by his colleagues to takeover, which sparked resistance in places like Oshogbo, the state capital, Ikire and other councils.