The “reinstated” Chairman of Irewole Local Government in Osun State, Mr Remi Abass, has been reportedly killed following clash between hoodlums working for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following struggle for the taking over the council secretariat in Ikire.
Both the PDP and the APC are laying claim to the control of the local government following a judgement of the Court of Appeal last week which reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councillors.
However, the State Government declared that the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
But, early hours on Monday, February 17, 2025, Abass, led other sacked council officials to take over in line with the Appeal Court’s judgment and reportedly entered the Secretariat when hoodlums allegedly working for the PDP stormed the Secretariat to dislodge them.
Information pieced together indicated that the development led to an exchange of gunshots during which Abass was killed while several others sustained various degrees of injury.
Following the development, some of the hoodlums took to the highway, shooting sporadically into the air, thereby created serious panic and tension in the community which forced motorists to make detours to avoid being caught in the cross fire.
An eye witness said; “The thugs came out from the building opposite the Secretariat wielding gun. They deliberately targeted the council chairman. Many surrounded him and did not allow him to escape from the scene until he was killed”. Speaking on the unfortunate development, the State Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs, Mr Soji Ajeigbe, alleged that two PDP members, Ege and Igara, were killed by gun-wielding thugs working for the APC.
Ajeigbe said; “Apart from those killed, six others were killed while they were attempting to take-over the Secretariat. We have deposited the bodies in the morgue while the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital”.
The Nigeria police Force, Osun State command is yet to comment on the crisis but when the Public Relations officer of the command, Yemisis Opalola was contacted, she said she would speak on the matter after it has been investigated.
