The Osun State Government has dismissed the Nigeria Police Force’s recommendation to suspend the local council elections scheduled for Saturday, accusing the security agency of bias and political interference.
In a statement released on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, acknowledged receiving the police’s security advisory but criticized the force for allegedly favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and acting against democratic principles.
Rejecting the advice on the grounds of adherence to the rule of law and opposition to police partisanship, Alimi described the police’s position as “prejudiced, politically motivated, and undemocratic.”
He further alleged that the advisory, presented under the guise of public interest, was actually a veiled attempt to support the APC’s “illegality.”
“From the outset of this dispute, the police have disregarded best practices by openly aligning with the APC, a party relying on a non-existent court order to push its agenda.
“It is widely known that the police actively facilitated the APC’s enforcement of a reinstatement order that no court ever issued.
A law enforcement agency that has become an extension of a political party loses its credibility as an impartial body,” Alimi stated.
Call for police compliance with court ruling
The state government urged the police to uphold Friday’s court judgment, which affirmed that vacancies existed in the 30 local government areas by validating the removal of APC-appointed council officials.
It also called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“Rather than enforcing court orders, the police are regrettably pursuing a partisan agenda, working against the rule of law, as reaffirmed by today’s court decision.
However, while the police may choose to disregard judicial rulings, the Osun State government remains committed to the law.
This is why we fully support the state electoral commission in conducting a credible, free, and fair election,” the statement read.
Despite rejecting the police’s advice, the government expressed appreciation for their concern and encouraged residents to exercise their voting rights peacefully on Saturday.
