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The Osun State House of Assembly has strongly condemned the alleged forceful takeover of local government council secretariats by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Assembly described the action as an unlawful act that undermines democracy and the rule of law.

Addressing a world press conference at the Osun State House of Assembly Complex on Wednesday, House Speaker, Adewale Egbedun stated that members of the Osun APC, had forcefully broken into local government secretariats across the state.

Egbedun said, “This unlawful invasion is not only a direct attack on our democratic institutions but also a clear violation of the rule of law and a threat to public peace and order.”

The Speaker also raised concerns about the presence of security operatives during the incident, alleging that law enforcement agencies failed in their duty to prevent the illegal occupation of government buildings.

“It is disturbing that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law, were present while these illegal acts were being carried out. Law enforcement must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities,” he added.

Egbedun reaffirmed that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo had earlier declared the 2022 local government election unconstitutional, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal on January 13, 2025.

“Despite this clear and subsisting judgment, members of the APC have resorted to self-help and brute force in an attempt to illegally occupy government offices,” he said.

According to the Speaker, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has fully complied with this directive, prioritising peace and stability over confrontation.

“The Assembly has called on security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to restore order and ensure that those responsible for the alleged illegal occupation are held accountable.

“We demand that the Nigeria Police Force uphold its constitutional duty to maintain law and order without bias or compromise,” Egbedun said.

The Speaker further expressed concerns over the alleged relationship between former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, warning against political interference in security matters.

“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should manipulate security agencies to serve political interests at the expense of peace and stability,” he stated.

The Assembly urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that illegal occupants of government offices are evicted and prosecuted.

Meanwhile, Egbedun reiterated that the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025 would proceed as planned, assuring voters that democracy would not be disrupted.

“We urge all eligible voters to come out en masse and freely exercise their democratic rights,” he concluded.

In the aftermath of the violence which is reported across the local government secretariats on Monday which has led to the death of six persons, Governor Ademola Adeleke has since directed that all individuals, regardless of political affiliation, stay away from the council secretariats to prevent further crises.

Violence erupted that the council secretariats on Monday when sacked council officials under the APC and their supporters attempted to occupy the local governments.

They were met by PDP supporters and after violent altercations, six persons were reported to have died including a Remi Abass in Ikire town, Irewole local government council area.