By Boluwatife Adedokun
The Osun State Government has formally rejected the security advice from the Nigerian Police Force regarding the upcoming local government elections, insisting that the state remains peaceful and that court orders must be obeyed.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, stated that after reviewing the police’s recommendation, the government found it to be biased, partisan, and contrary to democratic principles.
“The police’s advice appears to serve the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than the public good,” the statement read. “It is a Greek gift that we outrightly reject.”
The state government accused the police of partisanship, alleging that the force had aided the APC in enforcing a reinstatement order that no court ever issued. It further described the police’s role in the political dispute as “a poison chocolate,” arguing that the law enforcement agency had lost its neutrality by openly siding with the opposition party.
The government also referenced a court judgment delivered on Friday, which affirmed that the APC-led local government administration had been lawfully sacked, declared council positions vacant, and authorized fresh elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22. The ruling also directed the police and other security agencies to provide security for the elections.
“Instead of complying with the court’s directive, the police have chosen to act contrary to the rule of law. However, the Osun State Government remains committed to upholding the judiciary’s ruling and will support the state electoral commission in conducting a credible, free, and fair election,” Alimi stated.
While appreciating the police for their input, the government urged Osun residents to turn out peacefully to exercise their voting rights on Saturday.