Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately withdraw police protection allegedly being provided to local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), intensifying the ongoing political and legal dispute surrounding local government administration in Osun State.
The governor’s request comes amid a prolonged crisis over the control of local government councils in the state, a dispute that has pitted the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration against APC-backed council officials and supporters.
In a statement issued by the state government, Adeleke argued that the continued deployment of police personnel to protect the affected council chairmen was contributing to tensions across local government areas and undermining efforts to maintain peace and order.
According to the governor, the security arrangement has emboldened individuals whom his administration considers to be operating without legal backing, following a series of court decisions and political disagreements relating to the status of local government officials in the state.
Adeleke urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force remains neutral and does not become entangled in partisan political disputes. He maintained that security agencies should act strictly within the provisions of the law and uphold their constitutional responsibility of protecting all citizens without bias.
“The police must remain professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties. Security institutions should not be perceived as taking sides in political matters,” the governor reportedly stated.
The local government crisis in Osun has been one of the most contentious political issues in the state in recent years. The dispute stems from disagreements over the legitimacy of elected council officials, court rulings, and the conduct of local government elections, with both the APC and PDP advancing competing interpretations of judicial decisions.
Supporters of the APC have consistently maintained that their council chairmen were duly elected and remain entitled to occupy their offices, citing legal judgments that they believe support their position. The opposition party has accused the state government of attempting to undermine democratic processes and deny elected officials the opportunity to serve their mandates.
On the other hand, the Adeleke administration has argued that the actions of the APC-backed chairmen are inconsistent with legal and constitutional provisions governing local government administration in the state.
The latest appeal to the IGP is expected to further heighten political debate, with observers closely watching the response of federal security authorities. Political analysts have warned that the continued standoff could deepen tensions if not addressed through lawful and peaceful means.
Civil society groups and community leaders have also called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could lead to violence or disrupt governance at the grassroots level. They have emphasized the need for respect for judicial pronouncements and adherence to due process in resolving the dispute.
Meanwhile, residents in several local government areas have expressed concern about the impact of the prolonged crisis on service delivery and local administration. Many have urged political actors to prioritize governance and development over partisan disagreements.
As the controversy continues, attention remains focused on the role of security agencies, the interpretation of court judgments, and the broader implications of the dispute for local government administration in Osun State.
The Inspector-General of Police has yet to publicly respond to Governor Adeleke’s request, while stakeholders await further developments in what has become one of the state’s most significant political confrontations.
