Tension in Osun as council boss shot dead over control of power
There’s growing tension in Osun, South-Western region, as purportedly reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Mr Remi Abass, was reportedly killed by hoodlums working for the state-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after taking over the council secretariat in Ikire.
According to reports, both APC and PDP have been laying claim to control of the third tier of government as the APC claimed that the Court of Appeal judgement delivered last week had reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councillors, while the State Government said the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the election.
However, in the early hours of Monday, Abass led other sacked council officials to occupy the secretariat in line with the court’s verdict and reportedly when hoodlums allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stormed the Secretariat to dislodge them.
It was gathered that there was an exchange of gunshots during which Abass was killed while several others were injured.
A source states, “The thugs came out from the building opposite the Secretariat, wielding guns. They deliberately targeted the council chairman. Many surrounded him and did not allow him to escape from the scene and killed him.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs in the state, Mr Soji Ajeigbe, claimed that two PDP members, Ege and Igara, were killed by gun-wielding thugs working for the APC.
“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 were receiving treatment at the hospital”, he said.
When contacted by Vanguard, Osun State Police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola said she would investigate the matter and reach back.
Source: Vanguard newspaper
