The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun on Monday traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.

Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats.

While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.

There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgement in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.

While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgement of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.

Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.

Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.

Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.

He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.

Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.

Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.

This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.

Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.

Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.

He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.

(NAN)