There is palpable tension across Osun State as hooded gunmen invaded local government council secretariats following an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over control.
Recall that both parties 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 has reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councillors, while the State Government said the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
It was learnt that early hours of Monday, APC members moved to the various council secretariats with a bid to take over control but were resisted by some gun-wielding hoodlums.
Also, the APC attempt to take over at Boluwaduro was resisted by hoodlums while both APC and PDP members were resisted by police from gaining access to the council secretariat in Olorunda local government.
According to PUNCH, in Osogbo, the state capital, a man covered in blood engaged in a fight with another suspected hoodlum, believed to be working for one of the parties.
During the shooting, the Osogbo/Ibokun Road, which passes in front of the local government secretariat, was deserted.
Armed police operatives were seen at the entrance to the secretariat, while the hoodlums responsible for the gunfire shot sporadically, causing panic in the neighbourhood.
At the Atakumosa West Local Government Secretariat, a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Festus Komolafe, led elected APC members into the premises. However, they left just a few minutes later.
In Egbedore Local Government Secretariat, Awo, PDP members wielding canes were seen singing at the entrance, daring APC members to approach them.
In Ayedaade LGA, APC members reportedly arrived at the secretariat in Gbongan early in the morning.
Earlier, officials elected on the platform of the APC in the 15 October 2022 local government elections in Osun State resumed at the Boripe Local Government Secretariat in Iragbiji.
However, an attempt by APC members to take over the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat in Igbona, Osogbo, was resisted, leading to heightened tension in the area.
Two individuals suspected of using their phones to record events from a storey building opposite the secretariat were beaten, and their phones were smashed.
Hoodlums wielding charms were also seen assaulting those they caught recording the scene on their mobile phones, further escalating tensions.
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