The remains of Remi Abass, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, who was killed during Monday’s violent clash in Ikire, have been laid to rest.
Abass, who was elected chairman of Irewole Local Government in the October 15, 2022, council poll, was among the six casualties confirmed by the police following the widespread violence that erupted across the state.
The trouble started when APC members moved to enforce the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which overturned a Federal High Court ruling that had sacked them from office on November 25, 2022.
However, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had also mobilised in large numbers to the Irewole council secretariat, clashed with APC supporters, leading to multiple deaths and the destruction of property in several local government areas.
The deceased was buried according to Islamic rites at the Ikire Muslim Community burial ground, with political associates and prominent APC leaders in attendance.
In a statement on Tuesday, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, condemned Abass’ killing, describing it as “inhuman, wicked, and callous.”
Lawal extended his condolences to the deceased’s family and the party,
directing other APC chairmen and councillors to stay away from their respective council secretariats as a mark of respect for their fallen colleague until further notice.
He commended the council chairmen for standing their ground in line with the Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed their positions, while calling on security agencies to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings.
“The police must extend their dragnet to apprehend, investigate, and prosecute the killers of our serving local government chairmen and their sponsors, who could not have come from the moon,” Lawal stated.
Meanwhile, many local government secretariats across the state remained under lock on Tuesday, with no visible security presence.
When our correspondent visited the Olorunda Local Government Secretariat at Igbona and the Osogbo Local Government Secretariat in Oke Baale, the premises were locked and deserted.
