COALITION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE (CGG)
Gentlemen of the Press,
1. We acknowledge your presence here today to express our anger, pain, disappointment and condemnation of the political development in Osun State arising from the Court of Appeal judgement delivered in Akure on February 10, 2025.
2. We are sad that the political tension mounting in Osun is taking a new turn with the claim of the State Government of Osun that the top Police authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, are planning to Assassinate the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
3. The allegation of Assassination of a state governor is a weighty one which borders on Treason.
4. And as we are aware, Treason is a capital punishment in Nigeria. Therefore, such a weighty allegation should be thoroughly investigated and ascertained if it is a wild goose chase by the Osun State Government to escape and deflate the counter criminal allegations levelled against the state government by the Opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
5. On the other hand, the APC in Osun has accused the state government of sponsoring hoodlums to unleash terror on its members. According to the party, no fewer than six of his members lost their lives while many sustained different degrees of injuries.
6. Internet is awash of the videos of alledged PDP leaders and members openly displaying guns and encouraging mayhem against dissenting voices and harmless citizens. The PDP Chairman in Ifedayo Local Government, Kayode Atolagbe was captured in the said video wielding and firing gunshots. Ditto for a former Chairman of the Leader of the PDP in Ifelodun, Sarafadeen Awotunde (popularly called Spain), who was recorded directing fiery-looking thugs to attack opposition members in Ikirun, Ifelodun local government council area.
7. In Ikire, Irewole local government council area, a Chieftain of the APC and elected Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, was gruesomely murdered on Monday. The Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, who is equally from Ikire like the deceased Remi Abass, has been accused by the APC as one of the masterminds of the killing.
8. Senator Lere Oyewumi was also accused of being the brain of the killing of another stalwart of the party in Ikire, Saheed Oyegunju, who was bludgeoned to death in February 2023 on the day Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ( then a Candidate) came to Osun State for his Presidential campaign.
9. Since 2023, the APC has claimed that nothing has been heard about the killing of the murdered Oyegunju, suggesting that the Senator has used his influential office to suppress investigation and prosecution.
10. The Opposition APC also claimed that some of the Suspects apprehended in connection with the murder are known PDP thugs associated with Senator Lere Oyewumi.
11. On the murder of Remi Abass, another PDP Chieftain, Hon. Ibrahim Inaolaji, was fingered by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ibrahim Inaolaji is the Legislator representing Isokan/Irewole in the Osun State House of Assembly and his residence has been described as a Sanctuary for the alleged murderers of Late Remi Abass.
12. All these allegations and counter allegations of assassination and murders by both the state government of Osun and the opposition APC are grave and capable of degenerating to Anarchy if poorly managed.
13. Our investigation has revealed that name-calling and blackmailing of the Inspector General of Police is a ploy to divert the attention of the law enforcement agents from investigating and bringing to book perpetrators of Monday carnage in Osun State
. From all indications, the carnage appears sponsored and the Police must do everything to apprehend the troublers of peace in the state. All the identified thugs, particularly Nurudeen Alawonle, who was recently arrested with a police pistol and Emir Ajagungbade, who is facing charges of kidnapping, terrorism and murder at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, must be arrested for investigation. That these two suspects have been alledged to be associates and appointees of Governor Adeleke.
14. As keen Observers of polity and political events in Osun State, we are of the firm belief that the Security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Security have discharged their constitutional responsibilities dutifully and professionally. They have decently managed the carnage that took place in Osun State. Hence, we were aghast when Governor Ademola Adeleke, his nephew David Adeleke (Davido) and state officials continued to hurl strong allegations against these patriotic Nigerians.
15. We are troubled that Security in a hitherto peaceful Osun State is being stretched by actions of political actors. Regrettably, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has not been able to show the deserving and needed leadership and it’s unfortunate and sad. His decision to go ahead with a planned Local Government Election may further instigate tension and unrest in the state. We learn on good authority that the planned election is part of the state government schemes to provoke crises in the state in order to demonize President Bola Tinubu and and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
16. At this critical point, all efforts must be harnessed to engender peace, not endangering lives and properties of the citizens. For this reason, all Nigerians of goodwill both at home and in the diaspora must prevail on Governor Ademola Adeleke and Osun State Independent electoral commission to put on hold the controversial election slated for this Saturday.
16. We also want to appeal to the authorities of the British High Commission, embassies of the United States of America, France and other democracy-loving countries in Nigeria to be circumspect on the political developments in Osun State and not rush to judgement based on allegations and counter allegations, but harp on the need for the state government to protect citizens right and respect the rule of law. Adeleke’s actions in the current imbroglio are undemocratic and unbecoming of his office as the Governor of Osun State
17. Finally, we want to implore the Nigerian Police, DSS and other security agencies in the country to extend their invitation to Senator Lere Oyewumi and Hon. Ibrahim Inaolaji in connection with the gruesome murder of Late Remi Abass. The security agencies must rise to the occasion and not allow this heinous crime to be swept under the carpet.
18. We thank you for your time. God bless.
Thank you for listening.
Yours sincerely,
E-signed.
Comrade Nelson Ekujumi,
Convener.
Comrade Gbenga Soloki
Co-convener.
Comrade Rasheed Raji Oyewunmi
Co-convener.
