Heavily armed security personnel were stationed at key locations along major roads in Osogbo and other towns across Osun State on Monday.
Tensions have been rising between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a Court of Appeal ruling concerning the removal of APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP maintains that the February 10 ruling of the Court of Appeal in Akure did not reinstate the sacked APC officials elected in 2022, the APC insists they should return to office.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) declared PDP candidates winners of all 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently swore them in on Sunday.
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During the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Osogbo, Adeleke advised the newly elected chairmen to remain in their council areas to prevent clashes with the opposition.
He cited an Osun State High Court ruling that confirmed vacancies in all local government positions before the February 22 elections and assured that legal measures would be taken to remove those unlawfully occupying council secretariats.
Meanwhile, the APC issued a directive for its “reinstated chairmen” to resume office on Monday.
The party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, released a statement in Osogbo rejecting claims that APC chairmen and councillors were advised not to report to their respective council areas.
A source who visited various locations, including Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife East, Ife Central, and Ifelodun local government areas, reported heavy security presence on major roads and at council secretariats.
In Osogbo, security personnel were seen stationed at key points such as the stadium, Ajegunle, Omo West, Orisunbare, Asubiaro, Olaiya, Immigration Junction, Ataoja Police Junction, and the State Secretariat Junction.
Roadblocks were set up in these areas, causing traffic congestion, with some vehicles being searched.
At Osogbo Local Government Secretariat in Oke-Baale, APC chairmen and councillors arrived for work under tight security.
Armed officers were positioned at the entrance, roadblocks were set up nearby, and movement in and out of the premises was restricted.
Shops around the secretariat remained closed, and no activities were observed within the compound.
A similar security presence was noted at Olorunda Local Government Secretariat in Igbonna and the Old Garage area, though the secretariat gate was locked.
In Ile-Ife, security operatives were stationed at Ife Central Local Government Secretariat in Ajebandele and Ife East Local Government Secretariat in Oke-Ogbo.
The gate at Ife Central remained open but the premises were deserted, while police officers guarded Ife East.
Meanwhile, normal daily activities continued in the towns without disruption.
In Ifelodun Local Government, Ikirun, security personnel set up roadblocks, and the council secretariat was shut.
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