Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, was engulfed in protests on Saturday, resulting in the blockage of major roads and significant disruptions to both vehicular and pedestrian movement. Many business owners chose not to open their establishments due to fears of potential attacks by hoodlums amid the unrest. The protests were driven by two distinct groups: members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were demonstrating against a tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke, and commercial transporters protesting the scarcity and rising prices of petrol. Both protests unfolded simultaneously throughout the city.
The PDP protesters marched through the streets of Osogbo, chanting slogans that condemned the tribunal’s decision to overturn Adeleke’s victory in the July 16, 2022, election. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Tetsea Kume, ruled in favor of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, citing evidence of over-voting in six local government areas. As a result, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to revoke the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and recognize Oyetola as the rightful winner. This unexpected verdict shocked Adeleke and his supporters, prompting them to demand a state broadcast from the governor to call for calm and assure them of an appeal.
On Saturday, PDP members took to the streets of Osogbo carrying placards with messages such as “We were cheated before, now we reject miscarriage of justice” and “Gov. Adeleke is our governor, no change of currency can change that.” They marched through the Odi-Olowo and Oja-Oba areas before gathering at the Old Garage, where they were addressed by party leader and senatorial candidate Mr. Ganiyu Olaoluwa. He condemned the tribunal’s ruling, labeling it a threat to democracy, while urging the protesters to remain peaceful and supportive of Adeleke, whom he asserted was the true winner of the election.
Meanwhile, commercial transporters protesting against fuel scarcity and the increase in petrol prices blocked several key areas, including Owode-Ede, Ogo-Oluwa, Aregbe, and Old Garage on the Gbongan-Osogbo Expressway. They forced passengers out of buses and commercial motorcycles, preventing intra-city transport from operating while allowing private vehicles to pass. Mr. Abioye Adekunle, the immediate past chairman of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria in Osun, expressed that the protest aimed to highlight the exorbitant petrol prices, which ranged from N370 to N460 per liter in Osun, compared to N196 per liter in Abuja.
As the protests continued, major roads in Osogbo and Ilesa were blocked, halting vehicular movement along the Osogbo/Ikirun and Gbongan/Osogbo roads. Many commuters found themselves stranded, forced to walk long distances, while numerous businesses remained closed due to fears of violence. In a separate incident, the convoy of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kehinde Longe, was obstructed by individuals believed to be members of the transport management committee. Eyewitnesses reported that police cleared the barricade and continued on their way. In Ilesa, the popular Roundabout was also blocked, prompting commuters to seek alternative routes.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Yemisi Opalola, assured that the situation was under control, with additional officers deployed to areas where roads were blocked. In a statement on Saturday, Governor Adeleke praised the protesting PDP members for their rejection of the tribunal’s verdict. He expressed gratitude for their support and emphasized that their mandate would not be taken away. Adeleke reassured his supporters that they had won the election by a significant margin and that justice would prevail, urging them to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The Osun State PDP criticized Justice Kume, the tribunal chairman, for what they deemed unethical language in his judgment. Acting chairman Adekunle Akindele accused Kume of bias and of acting like a “hired mercenary” during the proceedings. He expressed concerns about Kume’s conduct and the language used in the judgment, calling for Nigerians to unite against exploitation by a minority and to defend their mandate.
In contrast to the protests, members of the APC celebrated Oyetola’s victory with a carnival in his hometown of Iragbiji. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also congratulated Oyetola, describing the tribunal’s ruling as a positive development for the APC and urging Oyetola to be magnanimous in victory as the legal process unfolds.
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