Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State met with Chief Bisi Akande, former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at his Ibadan residence on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing dispute over local government control in the state.
The meeting comes amid violent clashes between members of the Osun PDP and APC, with at least six lives lost. The crisis centers around the reinstatement of local government chairmen and councillors.
Adeleke, accompanied by top state officials, engaged in a two-hour private discussion with Akande, which was seen by many as an attempt to resolve the standoff.
According to Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Adeleke’s visit aimed to brief Akande on the legal challenges surrounding the crisis.
“The governor deemed it necessary to inform Baba Akande about the developments in the state, particularly regarding the judicial rulings and their interpretations,” Alimi said. He added that Adeleke, a “peace-loving leader,” urged the APC to seek legal redress rather than resorting to violence.
However, the APC criticized the visit, with spokesperson Kola Olabisi accusing Adeleke of seeking a “soft landing” for the reinstatement of the local government officials.
“Governor Adeleke should pursue grievances through the proper legal channels, not political negotiations,” Olabisi stated, pointing to the Supreme Court as the appropriate venue for resolution.
In contrast, the Osun PDP supported Adeleke’s initiative. PDP chairman Sunday Bisi praised the governor’s approach, stating, “Governor Adeleke has chosen peace and consultation over revenge. This is a testament to his political maturity.”