Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party have expressed their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State amidst the ongoing crisis surrounding the leadership of local councils in the state.
The crisis, which has resulted in violent clashes, property destruction, and loss of lives, began after a Federal High Court in Osogbo ruled last year to dismiss local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State.
However, the Court of Appeal in Akure later overturned the ruling, ordering the reinstatement of the dismissed officials. This decision sparked tension as the reinstated officials, members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, attempted to reclaim their positions, leading to confrontations across several local councils.
In response to the crisis, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, condemned the violence and commended Governor Adeleke for his proactive approach in raising the alarm before the situation escalated further.
The PDP Governors’ Forum expressed deep concern over the recent political violence in Osun State, particularly the loss of lives and destruction of property. They acknowledged Adeleke’s timely warnings about the potential breakdown of law and order and his calls for action from the relevant authorities to prevent the crisis.
The forum condemned the resort to self-help by political players and stressed that such conduct should be guided by the provisions of the law in a democratic society. They urged all involved to refrain from using violence to resolve political and legal disputes.
The governors praised Adeleke for his leadership, describing his efforts to address the situation as exemplary. They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, and other law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to restore order in Osun State, ensuring the protection of lives and property before the situation worsens.
The PDP Governors’ Forum emphasized that political leadership should be about serving the people and prioritizing their safety and welfare. They urged all stakeholders in Osun State to comply with the law and avoid further violence.
The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum notes with deep concern the recent political violence in Osun State, which led to the loss of lives and the destruction of property.
“The concern of the PDPGF stems from the fact that the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke had warned about the imminent breakdown of law and order and appealed to the responsible authorities to act to forestall this.
“The PDPGF condemns in its entirety the resort to self-help by political players whose conduct ought to have been guided by the provisions of extant laws in a democratic society. The Forum further notes with deep worry the resort to violence as a means of settling political and legal disputes and warns all those fanning the embers of discord to desist forthwith.”
The governors praised Adeleke for his timely warnings before political actors turned to violence, noting it as a sign of exemplary leadership.
The statement added, “Thus, the PDDGF appeals to His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, the Director General of DSS, the Inspector General of Police and the heads of other law enforcement agencies to move quickly and direct all law enforcement agencies to without further delay, contain the situation in Osun State, restore law and order and guarantee the preservation of lives and property before it spirals out of control.
“The PDPGF also notes that political leadership should be about patriotic sacrifice and service to the people and not about bloodbath and violent criminal conducts and thus, charges all the stakeholders in Osun State to abide by the law.
“In this regard, the PDPGF further avers that with regard to the protection of lives and property, there are no partisan divides or ideological divisions. Every political leader should be serving the people and working towards their safety, protection, and welfare.”
