The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke over his reported plan to introduce a state-run Park Management System following the violent clash that led to the death of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as “Emir” or “Ajagungbade,” in Ile-Ife.
The party described the proposed appointment of park managers by the state government as “illegal and unconstitutional,” arguing that the administration of motor parks falls within the responsibilities of local government councillors
In a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, and signed by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the party linked Sunday’s violence in Ile-Ife to what it described as an ongoing struggle among rival factions over the control of motor parks and garages in the state.
According to the APC, the incident reportedly occurred during what was scheduled to be a peace meeting but later degenerated into violence, leaving Oyeyemi dead while several NURTW members and passers-by were allegedly injured.
The party condemned the use of violence and extra-judicial means to settle disputes, while alleging that the incident further exposed the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition among political groups and other non-state actors in the state.
The APC therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Osun State Police Command to intensify efforts to recover illegally acquired firearms and ammunition allegedly in the possession of political thugs.
The party also urged the police to investigate individuals it named as suspected masterminds of the violence, including Nurudeen Alowonle and Olayemi Ojo, popularly known as “Sibi,” and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The APC further alleged that 37 of its members and supporters were killed by Accord-linked thugs before the August 15 governorship election, while claiming that 35 APC members and supporters were killed by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hoodlums ahead of the 2022 governorship election.
However, the party did not provide additional evidence in the statement to substantiate the casualty figures.
APC challenges legality of Park Management System
Reacting to Governor Adeleke’s reported directive to dismantle the existing garage and motor park leadership structure and replace it with a Park Management System, the APC described the move as a hasty response to the Ile-Ife violence.
The party argued that the governor lacked the constitutional authority to directly appoint the leadership of motor parks across the state.
It further contended that Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees a system of democratically elected local government councils and argued that the control, administration and revenue collection of public motor parks fall substantially within the local government structure.
The APC consequently warned Governor Adeleke against using an Executive Order to implement the proposed arrangement, comparing it with his previous action concerning elected local government officials.
The party maintained that any attempt by the state government to take direct control of motor parks or appoint park managers would amount to an infringement on the constitutional powers of local governments.
The APC called on the governor to reconsider the proposed policy and instead allow the appropriate constitutional authorities to handle the administration of motor parks.
The party also urged security agencies to intensify investigations into the Ile-Ife violence and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law, irrespective of political affiliation.
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