Emergency declaration urged for Osun State by Adesiyan

Former Minister of Police Affairs, Oyewale Adesiyan, has asked President Bola Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in Osun State. He claims there has been a significant breakdown of law and order in the state recently. Adesiyan criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying he has mishandled the situation in Osun. He believes that the unrest, including a recent local government crisis, has resulted in deaths, including that of the reinstated chairman of the Irewole local government. In a statement made on March 23, 2025, Adesiyan referenced Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. He suggested that declaring a state of emergency could help restore peace in Osun State. According to him, many people have been killed, and countless others have been displaced due to recent violence. Adesiyan noted that Governor Adeleke was too slow to react, imposing a 24-hour curfew only after violence had already occurred. He emphasized the need for timely action to prevent further chaos. This call comes shortly after President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspended its governor, Sim Fubara, among others. The use of Section 305 allows the government to suspend normal procedures during times of national danger or disaster. Adesiyan's comments also echo a broader concern about governance in Nigeria, as prominent figures, including Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, have expressed criticism regarding the government's recent actions in Rivers State.