Osun Crisis: Former Minister Calls For State Of Emergency
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Osun State, citing rising political violence and a breakdown of security.
Adesiyan, referencing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, stated that the deteriorating situation in Osun meets the legal criteria for a state of emergency.
He accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of disregarding court rulings and allowing lawlessness to thrive under his watch.
“We have seen how a refusal to obey the law can lead to total anarchy. The Court of Appeal ruled on the local government matter, yet the governor chose to listen to a state high court instead. The result? Lives were lost, including that of Hon. Remi Abass. This is unacceptable,” Adesiyan said in a statement.
Comparing the situation to the crisis in Rivers State, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened to prevent escalation, Adesiyan criticised Adeleke’s delayed response to the violence in Ilobu, where pregnant women, children, and innocent citizens reportedly lost their lives.
“In Rivers, the president acted swiftly, and no lives were lost. In Osun, we weren’t so lucky. Why did the governor wait until after the damage was done before imposing a curfew?” he asked.
Adesiyan warned that if urgent steps are not taken, reprisal attacks could erupt. He urged President Tinubu to intervene immediately to prevent further bloodshed.
“This is not the Osun we know. Our people deserve better than this state of fear and violence. A stitch in time saves nine—now is the time to act,” he concluded.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
