Osun Political Crisis: Timi Frank Urges Tinubu to Call Oyetola, APC to Order
The political crisis in Osun State has deepened as former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and rein in the alleged excesses of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and APC loyalists in the state.
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Frank, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, emphasized the urgent need to restore peace in Osun following violent clashes between supporters of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the control of local government councils. The unrest, which has reportedly claimed several lives, erupted after conflicting interpretations of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
Legal Dispute Fuels Political Tension
The crux of the crisis lies in the differing stances of Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Oyetola regarding the court ruling. While Adeleke maintains that sacked local government chairmen cannot resume office due to security concerns, Oyetola insists that the judgment must be implemented through legal channels, directing the affected officials to return to their positions.
The situation escalated on Monday when violence broke out at various local government secretariats, leading to allegations that APC loyalists, allegedly backed by Oyetola, were instigating chaos to destabilize Adeleke’s administration.
Accusations of Political Sabotage
Timi Frank has accused Oyetola of deliberately fomenting disorder to justify a possible declaration of a state of emergency in Osun. He warned that such a move would undermine democracy and disenfranchise the electorate who overwhelmingly supported Adeleke in the last gubernatorial election.
“Intelligence at our disposal suggests that Oyetola’s strategy is to render the state ungovernable so that the federal government can intervene under the guise of restoring order,” Frank alleged.
He further condemned the remarks of APC National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, who, during a live television broadcast, suggested that the federal government should consider imposing a state of emergency in Osun. According to Frank, this statement reflects the APC’s broader strategy to wrest control of the state through unconstitutional means.
Call for Presidential Intervention
Frank urged President Tinubu to break his silence and prevent Osun from descending into further turmoil. “Despite Osun being the President’s home state, it is currently governed by a PDP administration that enjoys the people’s mandate,” he said. “Tinubu must not allow his party’s desperation to override democratic principles.”
He warned that if the crisis is not urgently addressed, both Oyetola and Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will bear full responsibility for any escalation. “Federal might must not be used to instigate anarchy and disrupt governance in Osun,” he added.
APC’s Alleged Power Grab Strategy
The former APC spokesman also accused the ruling party of using intimidation and lawlessness to seize power at all costs. “The APC is not interested in winning elections through the ballot box; instead, it is resorting to impunity and coercion to dominate every part of the country,” Frank asserted.
He called on Osun residents to remain steadfast in their support for Governor Adeleke, urging them to resist any attempts to subvert their electoral choice. “Oyetola’s four years in office were marked by stagnation, while Adeleke’s two-year tenure has already delivered substantial development,” Frank noted.
A Plea for Democratic Resilience
Frank further encouraged Osun citizens to reject any plot aimed at imposing a state of emergency, warning that such a move would be a calculated attempt to dislodge Adeleke and facilitate an APC takeover.
“The people of Osun must defend their mandate against desperate political maneuvers. This is not just about Adeleke; it is about protecting democracy and resisting undue federal interference,” he concluded.
As tensions mount, all eyes are now on President Tinubu to see whether he will act decisively to de-escalate the situation or allow the crisis to fester. Meanwhile, political observers warn that failure to address the conflict swiftly could have far-reaching implications for national stability and governance.
Reference
Osun Political Crisis: Timi Frank Urges Tinubu to Call Oyetola, APC to Order