Press Room
February 3, 2025
State of Emergency Call - How Senator Ajibola Basiru Intervention Averted A Bloodbath in Osun State by OPIF State Coordinator, Satiregun
Within eight days, between February 10th, when the Court of Appeal in Akure reinstated the democratically elected APC Chairmen and Councillors, and February 17th, when they resumed office, Osun State witnessed a surge in violent rhetoric and threats from PDP affiliated media figures and political actors.
Statements such as “Before you go to the council, write your will,” and “If you follow your chairman to the council and you don’t return, let your relatives check the mortuary,” flooded social media, openly inciting violence and intimidation. Alarmingly, both state officials and non-state actors of the PDP participated in this campaign of fear without restraint.
Despite the clear intent to incite widespread bloodshed, the decisive intervention of APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru played a crucial role in curbing the escalation. His calls for a state of emergency during two major national television interviews relying on Section 305 of theNigerianConstitution, alongside multiple press conferences by the Osun APC chapter led by chieftains of the party exposed the imminent security threat posed by the Ademola Adeleke-led PDP government. These efforts alerted the public and forced the PDP to reconsider its violent agenda.
Intelligence reports later revealed a well-coordinated plan by PDP elements to unleash terror in the state. The third highest ranking official in Osun State allegedly reportedly mobilized fifteen Hummer buses loaded with armed thugs and dangerous cultists from Offa. A notorious PDP figure in Ilesa West, known for violent crimes and heading one of the Osun education agency, reinforced armed militia and cultists from all tertiary institutions in Ondo and Ekiti States.
Meanwhile, an Ibadan-based lawmaker representing a constituency in Ifeland was said to have deployed the Auxiliary wing of the NURTW from Ibadan, while Niger Delta militant groups previously used during the 2022 gubernatorial election were also allegedly invited.
Had these forces been fully deployed again after their successful operation on February 17th, after killing Hon. Remi Abass in Irewole LG, the PDP’s objective was clear: to unleash terror, assassinate APC members, maim opposition supporters, and seize control of councils through brute force. However, Senator Basiru’s strategic public outcry disrupted these plans, forcing a tactical retreat by Adeleke and PDP. Recognizing the mounting resistance and public exposure of their agenda, the remotely controlled governor in the PDP ultimately ordered its illegal chairmen and Councillors to withdraw from the councils. The deployment of external security operatives by the IGP also emboldened restoration of law and order.
While the crisis still resulted in the unfortunate loss of six lives, the swift and strategic action of Senator Ajibola Basiru significantly mitigated the scale of violence. His foresight, political acumen, and bold demand for federal intervention prevented what could have been a large scale massacre. His leadership during this crisis deserves commendation, as it safeguarded Osun State from descending into full-blown political warfare.
***Hon Satiregun Olayiwola Sunday is the Osun State Coordinator of Osun Progressive Independence Forum