Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing political tension in Osun State by restraining Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and his party supporters.
In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, Frank emphasized the need for urgent action to restore peace following violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters over control of local government areas, which have reportedly resulted in multiple casualties.
The crisis erupted on Monday as both parties interpreted a recent Court of Appeal ruling differently, leading to a heated dispute between Governor Ademola Adeleke and Oyetola.
While Adeleke insisted that the sacked council chairmen could not resume office due to security concerns, Oyetola maintained that the court’s verdict must be enforced through legal means.
Frank alleged that Oyetola’s strategy is to destabilize Osun State and create conditions that could lead to a declaration of a state of emergency.
He expressed concern over comments made by APC National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, who suggested during a live television broadcast that such a measure might be necessary to curb violence.
According to Frank, the real objective behind the crisis is to prevent Adeleke from securing a second term, as APC leaders fear he remains the popular choice.
He urged President Tinubu to take a firm stance to prevent further escalation, warning that both Oyetola and the federal government would be held responsible if the situation worsens.
Frank, who serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, called on Nigerians to stand against what he described as an attempt by the APC to impose its will through intimidation rather than democratic processes.
He encouraged Osun residents to continue supporting Adeleke’s administration, emphasizing that the governor has made significant progress in just two years, unlike Oyetola’s tenure, which, according to him, lacked tangible development.
Frank urged the people to resist any plot to use federal influence to undermine Adeleke’s government, stating that APC’s desperation stems from their inability to win a free and fair election in the state.
