Tensions flared in Osun State on Monday as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to take over the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat in Igbona, Osogbo. The incident escalated into a confrontation with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leading to unrest in the area.
Earlier in the day, APC officials who were elected in the October 15, 2022, Local Government elections resumed at the Boripe Local Government Secretariat in Iragbiji. However, their attempt to assert control over the Olorunda Secretariat met with resistance from PDP members.
When a correspondent arrived at the Olorunda secretariat around 9:20 am, armed police officers were stationed at the junction leading to the premises. APC supporters who had mobilized at the entrance were dispersed, while operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Amotekun Corps worked to manage the agitated crowd. The secretariat gate was locked, with no one allowed entry.
Amid the chaos, two individuals suspected of recording the scene from a nearby building were attacked, their phones confiscated and destroyed. Witnesses reported that hoodlums, some wielding charms, assaulted others who attempted to use mobile phones to capture the events.
Addressing the PDP supporters at the scene, Osun State Commissioner for Rural Development, Gani Olaoluwa, called for calm, emphasizing that no legal backing existed for the APC’s actions.
“We thank you for heeding our call. We won’t allow any illegal takeover here. No court judgment restored them here,” Olaoluwa stated.
The situation remains tense as security operatives continue to monitor the area to prevent further escalation.
