The Osun State government recently launched a Commission of Inquiry tasked with investigating recent disruptions to public order. Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, acting for Governor Ademola Adeleke, inaugurated the panel at the Government House in Osogbo. Led by retired Justice Adekunle Adeigbe, the committee is expected to identify the roots of the violence and provide strategies to maintain stability.
During the ceremony, Adewusi emphasized the government’s dedication to development, noting that safety is a prerequisite for progress. He promised the administration would provide the necessary resources, including security and logistics, to assist the panel. In response, Justice Adeigbe pledged that the committee would operate impartially, follow the evidence, and remain committed to legal standards while inviting all involved parties to speak.
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has openly rejected the panel, labeling it a politically motivated effort. Through its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party argued that the timing of the initiative is suspicious, coming as the state prepares for the upcoming governorship election. The APC accused Governor Adeleke of bias, noting that he had previously attributed recent violence to the opposition before law enforcement finished their work.
Furthermore, the APC called for the panel to investigate past killings of its own members and review the conduct of government officials accused of inciting violence. As the August 15 election approaches, the dispute over the commission’s legitimacy highlights the deepening political friction in Osun State.
