The Osun State Government has strongly condemned a call by the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, for the declaration of a state of emergency in Osun.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, described Basiru’s call as “callous, self-centered, and unlawful.”
“We strongly advise Senator Basiru and his party, APC, not to plunge Osun into turmoil in their desperate bid to seize power through the backdoor,” Alimi stated.
The commissioner dismissed the comparison between Osun and Rivers State, where a state of emergency was recently declared, arguing that the political situations in both states are vastly different.
“I have read what the over-ambitious and loud-mouthed National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said concerning the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend the state of emergency to Osun. This call, no doubt, stems from a demented mind,” Alimi said.
He accused the APC of seeking to destabilize Osun, claiming that the party lacks the political strength to challenge Governor Ademola Adeleke through elections.
“Osun APC lacks the popularity, political acceptance, and sagacity to face and defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke in any election. That is why they resort to various antics to grab power,” he added.
Alimi also referenced recent legal disputes over local government administration in Osun, stating that multiple court cases are pending.
“The legal processes are ongoing. The case challenging the so-called ‘Yes/No’ APC local government chairmen will be heard on April 17, 2025. Another case filed by Osun NULGE is fixed for April 15, while a contempt proceeding by the APP is awaiting a court date,” he explained.
He urged President Tinubu to disregard the call for a state of emergency, describing it as a desperate move by “a rejected and frustrated politician.”
The Osun government reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability, crediting Governor Adeleke for preventing potential chaos during the recent local government leadership crisis.
“Governor Adeleke, being a man of peace, acted with wisdom by directing the newly elected local government chairmen not to enter their offices immediately after being sworn in. Had he not done so, only God knows the chaos the APC would have unleashed,” Alimi asserted.
