Thugs clash with anti-Aregbesola protesters in Oshogbo, Osun state.

Summary: Anti-Aregbesola protesters were beaten by political thugs in Oshogbo, they were protesting non-payment of salaries and corruption allegations of the government.

The Protesters

There was pandemonium in Osun state capital, Oshogbo, when suspected political thugs disrupted a protest by anti-Aregbesola protesters.

The hoodlums had a field day as most of the protesters were members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP. In the heat of the attack, the protesters ran for their lives and many passersby were not left out.

The protest was organized by the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun, CSCEO, in support of a petition written by Justice Oloyede Folahanmi to the state assembly to commence investigation on Gov. Aregbesola administration over corrupt practices allegations.

Meanwhile, at a junction in Olaiya, where another set of protesters led by Chief Amitola Shittu and Wahed Lawal in solidarity with Governor Aregbesola were. Chief Amitola Shittu addressed the gathering saying that people should ignore politicians who want to us the economic situation of the state to cause havoc.

“To the best of our knowledge, the Nigeria Labour Congress has identified at least 23 states of the federation where salaries are not paid up to date. In fact, if you look at the local government workers, Osun is one of the states owing the least number of months with the payment local government workers up till February and we are aware that even that of March is ready. There are states with up to 8 months of unpaid salaries in councils.

“The same thing goes for state civil servants. Why then is this crazy stigmatization of Osun and its governor? We are here to say enough is enough.” he siad.

In another development, a PDP chieftain, Prince Diran Odeyemi reacted to the ugly incident calling it a crime by the APC, to sponsor hoodlums to attack old women and men doing a peaceful protest over unpaid salaries and pensions.

“You all witnessed what happened in Osogbo today. State sponsored hoodlums and APC thugs attacked old men and women doing a peaceful protest, beating them.

“Funny enough, the party is blaming PDP for the crime its men committed. I advise them to devise new means of doing things because their old ways of committing crimes and blaming it on the other party no longer working.” he told Vanguard.

Regrettably, the APC in a statement by Kunle Oyatomi reads, "APC hailed the people for this emphatic demonstration of solidarity with the governor and his Party in spite of the vicious campaign of hate and demonization of the Aregbesola government which the PDP has orchestrated in the last couple of weeks.

Anti-Aregbesola protesters

“All Progressives Congress has congratulated the people of Osun, especially residents of Osogbo for routing PDP’s attempt at creating mayhem in the state capital today (Tuesday).

“The PDP had mobilized a dubious coalition of so-called civil society ‘activists’ to demonstrate in support of civil servants’ strike over the salaries’ crisis, which the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari has now resolved.

“But unknown to the PDP, a huge crowd of APC supporters had gathered to celebrate  the Federal Government’s intervention to help states that have been unable to pay workers’ salaries as a result of the massive looting of the nation’s treasury by the ousted Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP government.

“Before the PDP-sponsored hoodlums, in the name of civil society ‘activitists’  knew what was happening, an intimidating crowd of jubilant APC supporters emerged from the Alekuwodo axis of the state capital, Osogbo, and advanced to the potential trouble makers that were waiting at Olaiya.

The statement also thank members of the security forces for keeping law and order to effectively curtail the agent chaos with their sponsors.

The Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Osun state command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, condemned the ugly incident adding that none of the groups got permission to have any rally. She said her men are top of the game "as we are only interested in securing lives and property”.

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