Tension gripped Osun State on Monday as hooded gunmen invaded local government council secretariats, intensifying the ongoing battle for control between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The crisis stems from a Court of Appeal ruling last week, which the APC claims reinstated sacked local government chairmen and councillors. However, the Osun State Government insists that a Federal High Court ruling in Osogbo had already nullified the election, rendering the APC’s claims void.
Amid the standoff, APC members attempted to forcefully reclaim council secretariats, but they were met with gunfire from unidentified hoodlums. In Boluwaduro, gunmen repelled the APC, while in Olorunda, both parties were blocked by police from gaining access.
Eyewitnesses described gunmen firing sporadically into the air at the Irewole secretariat in Ikire, forcing motorists to detour at Ikoyi to avoid potential violence.
Despite APC gaining entry into some council offices, government workers stayed away in compliance with an NLC directive.
Authorities are yet to comment on the crisis, as tensions remain high across the state.
