Concerns have emerged in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, following allegations that the Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU) is being drawn into partisan political mobilisation at a time when the community is grappling with unresolved land disputes, threats to heritage sites, and stalled development projects.
The concerns were raised by Mr. Ibrahim Adewoye, a member of a concerned Osogbo group, who warned that the alleged move to install new executives for the OPU could further polarise the town and undermine its fragile unity.
Adewoye described the reported process leading to the emergence of the purported new OPU executives as deceptive and insensitive to the pressing challenges facing Osogbo.
“At a time when Osogbo is battling serious internal crises, using a respected community union as a political mobilisation tool is reprehensible and betrays the collective interest of the people,” he said.
According to him, Osogbo is currently facing widespread land grabbing, including alleged encroachment on government-reserved land around the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts international attention to the town.
He further alleged that portions of land belonging to Fountain University, the first private university in Osun State, have been illegally occupied by land grabbers, despite repeated appeals to community leaders and security agencies.
“The same forces threatening the Osun-Osogbo Grove are also alleged to have encroached on Fountain University land. These are issues that should command the attention of our elders,” Adewoye said.
Beyond educational institutions, he noted that market women and other community groups are also affected by unresolved disputes, while some areas historically regarded as part of Osogbo have allegedly been reassigned to neighbouring towns without broad community consultation.
Adewoye also raised concerns over a proposed Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for Osogbo, reportedly approved by the Senate following legislative efforts by former Osun Central Senator, Ajibola Bashiru, and supported by the incumbent senator.
He alleged that land earmarked for the medical centre at Oke-Osun, estimated at about 100 acres, had been sold, making it difficult to move the project forward.
“This is a major setback to public healthcare development in Osogbo, yet it appears to be receiving little attention,” h e said.
Against this backdrop, Adewoye questioned the timing and motive behind the sudden announcement of elections to usher in new OPU executives, an announcement reportedly attributed to Pa Adeleke Oduola, a respected elder in the town.
He said he was unconvinced that Oduola would willingly associate with an action that could deepen divisions, urging him and other elders to publicly dissociate themselves if they were not part of the alleged plot.
Adewoye alleged that the move was driven by desperate politicians seeking a platform to mobilise support ahead of the August 2026 governorship election in Osun State, warning that such actions could drag Osogbo into avoidable political conflict.
He further cautioned that proceeding with union leadership changes while related disputes are reportedly before the courts could encourage self-help, heighten tensions, and threaten peace and public order.
“Elders should be working to reconcile factions and address the real problems confronting Osogbo, not take steps that may worsen divisions,” he said.
Adewoye maintained that using the name and structure of the OPU for alleged partisan purposes was immoral and damaging to the credibility of the union, especially when critical community challenges remain unresolved.
