Osun Crisis: Reps wade in, ask IGP, DSS DG to restore normalcy

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the crisis that engulfed Osun State over alleged attempt to take over the administration of local government councils by chairmen who were removed by court judgement in November 2022.

The House also called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Director General, Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as well as other security heads to ensure normalcy and order is restored to all local governments in Osun State.

These followed the adoption of an amended motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Bamidele Salam and all members of the House from Osun state at plenary.

Moving the motion, Salam recalled that on Monday, violence broke out in several parts of Osun state as a result of attempt to take over the administration of local governments by officials who were sacked by court judgement in November 2022.

According to the lawmaker, the sacked officials were now breaking the gates of their respective local government secretariat to forcefully take over the government of the local government without any court order.

He informed that Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Chief Security officer of the state had raised an alarm on Sunday about an imminent threat to peace and security in the state while calling on the Inspector General of Police and other heads of Security formations to take proactive steps to forestall the violence.

Salam expressed concern that; “if the current trend of resort to self-help by political actors is not nipped in the bud, it might encourage citizens to do same in the face of perceived rights and privileges. The present situation in Osun state may snowball into a free for all unless urgent actions are taken by relevant authorities.”

The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts lamented that the preventable violence which happened in Osun has led to the death of six persons while scores of others have suffered severe injuries and presently receiving treatment in various hospitals.

“Further worried that if prompt action is not taken against this lawlessness and arbitrariness, it may escalate into a more serious security challenges in Osun.

“Aware that by virtue of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the most fundamental objective and primary purpose of any government shall be the security and welfare of the people.

“Also aware that as the representatives of the people, the House has the duty and responsibility to ensure safety of lives and properties in Nigeria.

“Assured that the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Service and other security agencies have the capacity to restore normalcy to all the local governments of Osun State.

“Further Assured that if Attorney General of the Federation as the chief law officer of the country can advise the parties, the tension in Osun state would be doused,” he added.

The House on adoption of the motion, observed a minute silence in honour of persons killed in the course of the crisis that occurred on Monday, February 17, 2025.

By James Kwen