Coalition Wants Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency On Osun LG Crisis

To avert anarchy due to the failure of parties involved in Osun local government control crisis to adopt constitutional and political interventions to resolve the lingering imbroglio, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSO) in the state on Saturday urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The coalitions, Centre for Justice Initiatives (CJI), Community Advocacy and Initiative for Local Government Development (ILGD) and Centre for Justice and Community Advocacy, Nigeria (CJCAN), contended that such step would not undermine democracy but rather save it, restore constitutional governance and save lives.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the spokesperson for ILGD, Comrade Kanyinsola Adebayo, stated that “The coalition stands for rule of law, sanctity of the constitution and an advocate for protection of lives.”

She noted that the three are presently under grave threat in Osun because Governor Ademola Adeleke has allegedly continued to disregard the judgments of Appeal and Supreme Courts particularly those recognising the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led chairmen and councillors as the lawful administrators of local governments in the state.

Adebayo asserted that constitutional order has collapsed because the state government misrepresented and distorted ‘clear’ court judgements, refused to obey courts verdicts and continuous illegal interference to administration of local government.

Also, the secretary of ILGD, Ayomide Adeniyi, cited that state of emergency is needed as Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution empowered the President to do so for restoration of public order and prevent a clear danger that governance cannot be carried on by the constitution.

The secretary general of CJCAN, Comrade Amusa Opeyemi, demanded that the Nigerian Senate should intervene by approving a State of Emergency in Osun like Rivers State, and the Inspector General of Police should prosecute all involved in the killing of Remi Abass.