The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has called on the Nigeria Police Force to designate the town of Ede as a political “black spot” ahead of the state’s 2026 governorship election, following a clash involving police officers and alleged political thugs.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, said the request was necessary to ensure maximum security in the area. Ede, which includes Ede South and Ede North local government areas, is the hometown of the state governor, Ademola Adeleke.
According to the APC, a confrontation occurred on Thursday when youths believed to be affiliated with the Accord Party allegedly obstructed police officers carrying out their duties. Videos circulating online appear to show groups of youths confronting officers during the incident.
The party said the situation escalated after police reportedly deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. It alleged that some individuals threw tear gas canisters back toward officers and attempted to confront security personnel at the scene.
The APC described the incident as a troubling development in the state’s political environment and urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the events and identify those responsible for the unrest.
It also called on the police to study available video footage of the incident to help identify individuals involved in the disturbance and ensure they face the law.
The party further alleged that some of its members were attacked during the confrontation and commended the police for what it described as their “professional handling” of the situation, noting that no officers were reported killed.
The APC linked the tensions to a dispute over the leadership of local government councils in the state. It referred to a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on 10 February 2025, which it said reinstated APC-backed local government executives, including the chairman of Ede North Local Government Area, Adeyemi Elliot.
The party urged the state government to respect the court ruling and promote adherence to the rule of law.
There has been no immediate response from the Osun State Government or representatives of the Accord Party regarding the APC’s allegations.
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