The killing of Remi Abass, the Irewole Local Government Chairman in Osun State, has sparked outrage within the APC. National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Bashiru, has condemned the murder, suggesting that it was politically motivated. Abass was reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen, and Bashiru quickly linked the attack to political violence, pointing fingers at rival political factions in the state.
Bashiru, in an emotional interview on Channels TV, expressed deep sorrow over the untimely death of the local government chairman. He accused thugs aligned with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of carrying out the attack, claiming that the violence was part of a larger pattern of political intimidation and attacks. The APC official claimed to possess video evidence of other coordinated assaults, further intensifying the allegations of targeted violence in the area.
The violence in Osun State is not limited to the killing of Abass. Bashiru described other incidents of brutal attacks on APC members, highlighting the dangers faced by party members in various local governments. In Osogbo, one APC member was allegedly attacked with excessive force, while in Ifelodun, an individual identified as Spain reportedly opened fire at a local government office. These attacks contribute to the mounting tension and fear in the state.
The ongoing violence comes amidst rising political tensions between Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP and former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC. On February 16, Governor Adeleke accused Oyetola of trying to destabilize his administration by influencing the appointment of local government chairmen. The appointments were made shortly before Oyetola left office, following his electoral defeat. This move has become a point of contention, with the PDP arguing that it undermines the legitimacy of Adeleke’s government.
The dispute over the local government appointments stems from a recent Appeal Court judgment, which has intensified the rift between the APC and PDP in Osun State. The tension has led to an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, as accusations of political maneuvering and violence continue to surface. Both sides are increasingly accusing each other of using underhanded tactics to maintain control over local government leadership. Bashiru questioned the morality behind the ongoing violence, asking whether the pursuit of power had become so ruthless that people were willing to unleash thugs on their fellow citizens.
According to him: “Is it just about power, or is it that people are just mindless? Leave politics out of this; how will a governor feel comfortable unleashing thugs on the citizens of his state because of power?”.
