Kwara govt sacks Oyun, ACN controlled Offa councils

As part of efforts towards finding lasting solutions to the communal clash between the two neighbouring communities of Offa and Erin-Ile in Kwara State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the immediate suspension of the cabinets of the two local government councils of Offa and Oyun local government areas. The Offa council is controlled by the opposition ACN, with the PDP locked in a battle in the courts to wrest control.

The governor has also requested the Chairman, Traditional Council of Chiefs in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin, to as a matter of urgency mediate between the Olofa of Offa and the Elerin of Erin-Ile with a view to promoting a more cordial relationship between the duo and their communities. Addressing journalists in Ilorin today, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Isiaka Gold said: “All public office holders in both councils including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councillors, Secretary to the Local Government and Supervisors are to vacate their respective offices immediately.”

The suspension, Alhaji Gold explained, was as a result of the inability of the duo Chairmen of Offa and Erin-Ile Local Government Councils, as Chief Security Officers of their respective Councils, to maintain public order and protect the welfare of the people in both communities.

He said: “You will recall that hostilities recently broke out between Offa and Erin-Ile towns, in Offa and Oyun Local Government Councils respectively, following a disagreement between rival chapters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in both communities.

“As a responsible government, we could not fold our arms and watch the situation degenerate into criminality and lawlessness. Governor Ahmed therefore promptly sought the intervention of the State Police Command and invited the state chapter of the NURTW to a meeting to identify amicable solutions to the crisis.

“In view of the fact that there is a clear and present danger of the breakdown of law and order, security and public safety in Offa and Erin-Ile towns and the need to take further action to prevent the deterioration of the situation, Governor Ahmed in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Kwara State Law No. 4 of 2006 (Kwara State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2006), has suspended Offa and Oyun Local Government Councils with immediate effect.”

The SSG who lamented the unfortunate occurrence in the two communities, regretted that despite all peace efforts and overtures by the state government, further hostilities broke out between the two communities on Monday 28 January leaving in its wake the loss of three lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Meanwhile, the governor has also approved the appointment of Sole Administrators for the two local government areas as follows: Alhaji Ishaq Abubakar for Offa Local Government Council and Alhaji G. B. O. Bello for Oyun Local Government Council.

In addition, a judicial commission of enquiry has also been constituted with Hon. Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye as Chairman, while Barrister AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, Alhaji A. R. Shehu, Mr. Job Afolayan and Mrs. F. A. Lawal are members of the commission. Others are; Dr. Jelil Animashaun (University of Ilorin), ACP Olatunji Ayodele ( Nigeria Police), Mr. John O. Ojo (SSS), Lt. Col. A. H. Ahmed (Nigerian Army), and Alhaji A. A. Yusuf while it has six weeks to submit its report.