OSUN SECURITY TENSION: ADELEKE, APC RENEW WAR OF WORDS AFTER IGP’S VISIT
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resumed their war of words over security and policing in the state following the recent fact-finding visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke stressed the need for impartial policing before, during and after the election, urging the Nigeria Police Force to implement measures that would guarantee fairness and strengthen public confidence.
The governor commended the Inspector-General’s visit, describing it as an opportunity for political parties and key stakeholders to present their concerns over the state’s security situation.
According to him, the discussions held during the visit should serve as the basis for the immediate implementation of agreed measures to ensure professional and non-partisan law enforcement across Osun State.
“We appreciate the visit of the Inspector-General of Police and that of the Deputy Inspector-General a week earlier. The facts are now in the public domain. The IGP has listened to and received submissions from both parties,” Adeleke said.
He also urged the Osun State Commissioner of Police to remain neutral in handling investigations and prosecutions related to political violence, insisting that impartiality was essential to maintaining public trust in the police.
“We want every lawbreaker arrested and prosecuted, regardless of political affiliation. Criminals should face the law. We do not harbour thugs in Government House or anywhere else,” the governor stated.
Adeleke further appealed to security agencies to provide a safe environment for voters, warning that violence and killings undermine the democratic process. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies while maintaining that the government’s only demand was fair and unbiased policing.
However, the Osun APC argued that the Inspector-General’s remarks during the visit validated its earlier allegation that individuals accused of criminal activities were being shielded within the Osun Government House.
In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed the Inspector-General directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to professionally investigate the allegation.
The opposition party further contended that any police investigation should extend to the Government House if necessary, alleging that suspected political thugs had been protected from arrest.
The APC also faulted comments made by the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, describing his reaction to the Inspector-General’s remarks as “misplaced” and an afterthought.
It accused the Adeleke administration of politicising security issues and called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of political violence in the state.
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