The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has rejected claims by the All Progressives Congress that the state is in a crisis, as well as calls for the declaration of a state of emergency.
In a statement issued by the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, on Friday, the PDP described the APC’s claims as baseless and affirmed that democratic governance continues to function smoothly across all levels of government in Osun.
“There is no breakdown of governance in Osun. The judiciary is operational, the state assembly is active, and the executive is effectively discharging its duties,” the statement read.
The PDP also criticized the APC for comparing Osun to Rivers State, stating that the political dynamics in both states are entirely different. “Osun is not Rivers, and any attempt to equate the two is misleading,” the statement added.
The party accused the APC of inciting the recent local government crisis and blamed the opposition for the violence that erupted during the dispute over council leadership. The PDP dismissed the APC’s call for a state of emergency as an act of desperation. “Osun is enjoying democratic dividends, and the government is delivering on its promises despite the APC’s orchestrations to destabilize the state,” Bisi added.
Bisi further emphasized that the Adeleke administration respects the judiciary and noted that the local government dispute arose from illegal appointments made by the former administration. “Governor Adeleke has been addressing these issues within the law,” Bisi stated. He also referenced a recent meeting with traditional rulers, who expressed their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, adding, “The state’s traditional institutions have commended the governor’s adherence to the rule of law.”
The PDP refuted claims that the Adeleke administration had disobeyed court orders, asserting that the government has fully complied with judicial rulings. “The APC, on the other hand, continues to misinterpret court judgments for political gain. The governor acted swiftly to prevent further violence, urging all parties to respect legal procedures,” Bisi noted.
On the issue of employment, the PDP defended the governor’s decision to review last-minute appointments made by the previous administration, calling it necessary. The PDP also criticized the APC’s past electoral practices, labeling the opposition’s concerns about local elections as hypocritical. “Adeleke is ensuring that recruitment processes are based on merit and financial sustainability. The APC’s local council election was conducted in violation of the law. They have no moral ground to criticize a properly conducted election,” Bisi said.
The PDP accused Osun APC leader, Ajibola Bashiru, of attempting to seize power through unconstitutional means. The party alleged that rather than embracing the rule of law, the APC was seeking control through violence and misinformation.
In response to concerns about a strike by local government workers, the PDP stated that the unrest was caused by security fears following recent violence but reassured that despite the political tensions, governance in Osun remains stable.
Earlier, the Osun APC, in a statement by its Media and Information Director Kola Olabisi, urged the presidency to declare a state of emergency in the state. The APC cited a collapse of governance at the grassroots level and claimed that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has rendered local governments non-functional.
