Politics
Osun PDP lawmakers back Bisi-led SWC, demand LG secretariats vacated
Amid ongoing political tension in the state, lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State have declared their continued recognition of the party’s existing leadership structure, distancing themselves from any parallel authority.
The affirmation followed a closed-door meeting held in Osogbo on Saturday evening, where members of the National Assembly and the Osun State House of Assembly reviewed recent developments within the party and the unfolding dispute over local government administration.
Addressing journalists after the meeting attended by all PDP members representing Osun in the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, and the State Working Committee led by Sunday Bisi, alongside other senior party figures, the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Lere Oyewumi, said the caucus resolved to stand firmly behind the State Working Committee led by Sunday Bisi.
He stated that the gathering provided an opportunity to assess internal matters and restate the lawmakers’ collective position.
He added that the endorsement extended beyond the state executive to party leaders at all administrative levels.
“We have carefully reviewed the situation within our party in Osun State.
“After deliberations, we reaffirm our confidence in Hon. Sunday Bisi and the State Working Committee. They remain the duly recognised executives of the party across the state.
“Our vote of confidence covers the leadership in the 30 local government areas, the area offices and the 332 wards. These structures remain intact and fully functional,” he said.
The caucus also dismissed claims of alternative leadership within the party, insisting that no such group had its backing.
“Any individual or association presenting itself as a parallel leadership does not enjoy the support of the elected PDP lawmakers in Osun State and should not be accorded legitimacy,” Oyewumi stated.
On recent political realignments involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, the lawmakers maintained that such developments had not weakened the party’s foundation.
According to them, the PDP structure in Osun remains stable at the national, state and grassroots levels.
“The strength of our party is not diminished by political realignments.
“The PDP remains firmly established at the National Assembly caucus level, in the State Assembly, across the Executive Council, and throughout the wards and local governments in Osun,” Oyewumi said.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the controversy surrounding control of local government secretariats in the state.
The lawmakers condemned the occupation of council offices by members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter.
“We respectfully urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct those occupying the local government secretariats unlawfully to vacate immediately in order to avert further tension,” Oyewumi requested.
The caucus maintained that the state government had chosen legal channels rather than confrontation.
“As a law-abiding party and government, we have opted for the path of peace and constitutional process to avoid plunging the state into crisis,” he added.
The lawmakers appealed to the President to ensure that federal institutions operate strictly within constitutional limits, particularly with regard to local government finances.
They urged that allocations be paid directly into accounts managed by constitutionally recognised career officers.
Concerns were also raised about the role of security operatives in the dispute as the caucus alleged that police presence at council secretariats had contributed to the situation and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure neutrality.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police to direct officers deployed to the local government secretariats to return to their regular duties and allow lawful authorities to function.
“The Nigeria Police Force must remain professional and guided strictly by the rule of law,” he added.
