The Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State has banned all forms of unauthorised protests following alleged attempts by some individuals to mobilise demonstrations over the sudden death of the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council, Mr. Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
The directive, contained in a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of Ijumu LGA, Haruna Ibrahim, on behalf of the local government authority, came amid growing concerns over efforts to politicise the circumstances surrounding the APC chairman’s death.
Solomon reportedly slumped and died during a reconciliation meeting in Ijumu, throwing the APC and the wider community into mourning and prompting questions from some residents and political stakeholders over the circumstances that led to his sudden death.
The council chairman said the local government had received credible information that some individuals were attempting to exploit the tragedy by mobilising public demonstrations under the guise of demanding clarification on the cause of death.
“This decision follows credible information that certain individuals are attempting to politicise the unfortunate demise of Mr. Solomon Oyewole, former APC Chairman in Ijumu LGA, by mobilising public demonstrations under the guise of seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding his death,” the statement read.
According to Ibrahim, all concerns surrounding the deceased should be pursued through lawful and established channels rather than through protests capable of threatening public order. He specifically advised anyone seeking clarification on the circumstances of Solomon’s death to approach the Nigeria Police Force and request a formal inquest in accordance with the law.
“Ijumu remains a law-abiding and orderly society, and all concerns relating to the cause of death should be addressed through lawful and established channels,” the statement said.
The council warned that any attempt to stage protests or engage in activities capable of disrupting public peace, inciting unrest or causing destruction of lives and property would not be tolerated. It further cautioned that individuals or groups who defy the directive would face the full weight of the law.
“We therefore strongly caution that any attempt to stage protests or engage in activities capable of disrupting public peace, inciting unrest, or causing destruction of lives and property will not be tolerated. Such actions will be met with the full weight of the law,” the statement said.
The local government, however, appealed to residents to remain calm and peaceful, urging them to continue with their lawful daily activities without fear. The council also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the repose of his soul.
The development comes days after the sudden death of Solomon, whose reported collapse during a party reconciliation meeting had generated considerable concern among political actors and residents in the local government.
While the council has urged restraint and rejected attempts to politicise the incident, the call for a formal police inquest provides a legal avenue for any genuine concerns about the circumstances of the APC chairman’s death to be investigated.
The local government consequently urged all stakeholders, particularly political actors and community leaders, to allow the appropriate authorities to handle the matter and prevent the tragedy from triggering avoidable tension in Ijumu.
