Kehinde Fajobi
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of aiding the All Progressives Congress (APC) in illegally taking over local government councils in the state.
Speaking in Osogbo on Wednesday, February 19, while hosting British diplomats led by Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, Adeleke condemned what he described as the police’s enforcement of a non-existent court order.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said, “It is unfortunate and a disservice to democracy that the Inspector General of Police is colluding with the APC to enforce a non-existing court order. This is a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria.”
Adeleke alleged that despite his directives for political actors to steer clear of the local government crisis, the opposition, with police backing, forcefully took over council secretariats.
“But the opposition, supported by the police, went ahead to break into the local government secretariats. Security men openly supported them to enforce illegality,” he stated.
The governor reaffirmed that local government elections would proceed as planned on Saturday, declaring, “Our people are ready for elections. We will not allow democracy to be destroyed.”
He also urged the diplomatic community to take note of what he called the “rape of democracy” in Osun and condemned security agencies’ role in the crisis.
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British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of democracy and the rule of law, calling for peaceful governance.
“Nigeria is a key partner to the UK, and we encourage all stakeholders to uphold democratic values, ensure peaceful governance, and respect legal institutions.
“It is vital that law enforcement remains neutral and that political disputes are resolved through lawful channels,” Baxter said.