Rights Activist Cautions Against Forceful Takeover Of Osun State

Abuja based lawyer and human rights activist Pelumi Olajengbesi says any attempt to forcefully take over the government of Osun state will lead to unimaginable chaos and anarchy.

To this end, the lawyer warned the actors in the political crisis to thread softly and toe the path of justice and peace .

Addressing a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Olajengbesi faulted the forceful takeover of the local governments in Osun by some groups.

He said that the forceful take over was a like a coup adding that, even if the actors have the judgement in their favour, it was completely wrong to take laws into their hands under the guise of enforcing the Court of Appeal judgement.

The lawyer insisted that there are procedures for judgement execution in the country, adding that the way and manner the actors in the Osun local government crisis acted was in breach of laws and usurpation of functions of those empowered to enforce court judgements.

According to him, with the local government crisis, democracy is facing another great challenge of disregard for laws, which has become the order of the day.

“You cannot on your own execute judgement. A deliberate attempt to commit a coup is what is unfolding in Osun state. Judgement of the Court of Appeal is being deliberately mis- interpreted to suit their actions.”

Giving insight into what led to the local government takeover crisis, the lawyer said that he had perused through the Court of Appeal judgement and did not find anywhere the Court made consequential order for the reinstatement of former local government chairmen.

He said that the issue of reinstatement was not treated by the Court of Appeal on the reasoning by the court itself that the issue has been overtaken by events.

He warned against using dishonesty and blackmail against the Court of Appeal judgement to set Osun on fire and forcefully take over the political leadership in the state.

He praised the governor of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for asking the Peoples Democratic Party members in the state to stay away from the local government to avoid unnecessary blood shed that may arise in the process.

The lawyer then appealed to the people of the state to be peaceful and vigilant in the face of provocation.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji