What we’re witnessing in Osun is worse than military era – PDP Chairman, Bisi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has characterized the current political climate as more oppressive than the military era, accusing the federal government of a systematic clampdown on the state administration and its supporters. PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi stated that the alleged seizure of local government allocations for nearly two years has deprived citizens of essential services like teacher salaries, healthcare, and traditional ruler payments.

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I can tell you for free that Osun is being militarised. The Federal Government has clamped down on us and the Osun State Government.

Bisi further alleged that with the governorship election approaching, the APC-led federal government has intensified its actions against Governor Ademola Adeleke's supporters and members of the Accord Party. He claimed that Accord Party members have been killed and over 40 are detained in Abuja without charges, citing the arrest of Accord Party's House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency as an example. Bisi described these actions as "the height of desperation" and "undemocratic."

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This is worse than the military era. We have never seen a government like this before in Nigeria. They want to ground the government.

Addressing the freezing of the state's accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bisi questioned what wrongdoing the administration committed. He highlighted the Adeleke administration's achievements in roads, bridges, flyovers, schools, and making the University of Ilesa functional, alongside improved funding for UNIOSUN, all accomplished with "meagre resources" amidst the seized local government funds. He contrasted this with the previous 12 years of APC rule, which he claimed achieved nothing for the people.

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What have we done wrong other than to align with our people to develop Osun beyond their expectations?

Bisi dismissed opposition claims of violence by Accord Party members, challenging them to name their alleged victims and press charges. He asserted that the APC is resorting to these tactics because they want to take over the government by force, despite Adeleke's expected second term. The PDP chairman's statements paint a picture of intense political conflict and alleged institutional overreach in the lead-up to the Osun governorship election.

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The APC will not allow us to rest because they want to take over the government by force.