Drama In Osun As Ife Council Chairman Storms Secretariat Despite Restraining Order From Governor Adeleke
Governor Adeleke had earlier issued an order barring individuals from accessing local government secretariats, citing legal disputes over the legitimacy of some council officials.
The ongoing political crisis in Osun State took another dramatic turn on Wednesday as the Executive Chairman of Ife-Central Local Government, Olayera Elugbaju, stormed the council secretariat with his supporters despite a restraining order from Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Elugbaju’s presence at the secretariat in defiance of the governor’s directive has further heightened tensions in the state, which has been grappling with a leadership tussle over control of local government administrations.
Governor Adeleke had earlier issued an order barring individuals from accessing local government secretariats, citing legal disputes over the legitimacy of some council officials.
The governor, therefore, ordered security agencies to take control of all local government secretariats in the state following violent clashes over an alleged attempted takeover by sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors.
In a statement released on Monday via his X page, Adeleke had urged residents and politicians, regardless of party affiliation, to stay away from the secretariats to prevent further bloodshed and safeguard public property.
However, in multiple videos seen by SaharaReporters, Elugbaju and his loyalists arrived at the Ife-Central Local Government premises in the early hours of Wednesday, insisting on resuming his official duties.
The APC members were heard shouting the name of their party and jubilating over the purported resumption of Elugbaju.
Osun State has been embroiled in a heated political crisis since Governor Adeleke assumed office, with the local government administration being a major flashpoint.
The governor had earlier dissolved the councils, citing irregularities in their election under the previous administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. However, some chairmen, including Elugbaju, have refused to vacate their positions, leading to legal battles and political showdowns.
Security operatives were reportedly deployed to the area to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, the state government has yet to issue an official response to Elugbaju’s defiance.
