Tension erupted in Ede, Osun State, on Thursday after security operatives fired tear gas to disperse rival political supporters who clashed during a controversial event at the Ede South local government council area premises.
The confrontation reportedly broke out when members of two political parties gathered at the venue where a ceremony linked to the reconstruction of the local government council complex was being held.
Eyewitnesses said the situation deteriorated when supporters exchanged heated arguments over who had the authority to initiate the reconstruction project at the council headquarters.
Police officers deployed to the scene were later forced to intervene as the disagreement escalated into a physical altercation among party loyalists.
A resident who carved anonymity who witnessed the incident said the atmosphere became tense shortly after groups of political supporters confronted one another near the council complex.
āThe situation quickly got out of control as supporters of both parties began arguing loudly before the confrontation turned physical,ā the resident explained.
According to reports, the ceremony was organised to mark the commencement of reconstruction works at the council complex following the demolition of a facility in the area during a previous road expansion project.
The earlier demolition reportedly affected an ultra-modern Mother and Child Complex located along Agip Road, which had been removed to allow for the construction of a dualised road.
The programme was conducted by Elliot Adeyemi, who was recently reinstated as chairman of the council on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
However, members of the Accord reportedly opposed the exercise and attempted to halt the event, insisting that Adeyemi did not possess the constitutional authority to carry out the ceremony.
They maintained that Lukman Afolabi, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remained the recognised chairman of Ede South local government council area following earlier legal disputes over the position.
Security personnel eventually dispersed the crowd with tear gas, restoring calm to the council area as authorities continued to monitor the situation.
Police fire tear gas as rival political party supporters clash in Osun
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