Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has launched a scathing attack on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing him of aiding and abetting lawlessness in the state’s local government administration. Adeleke alleged that the police chief was colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to enforce an illegitimate court order, plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.
The governor made these remarks on Wednesday during a high-level meeting with British diplomats led by Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter. The discussion centered on the ongoing political turbulence in Osun, particularly the alleged illegal occupation of local government offices by sacked APC chairmen and councillors.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke did not mince words:
> “It is unfortunate and a disservice to democracy that the Inspector-General of Police is colluding with the APC to enforce a non-existent court order. This is a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria.”
Governor Adeleke accused security forces of abandoning their constitutional duty by enabling the APC to seize control of local government secretariats illegally. Despite his directive for all political actors to steer clear of the contested secretariats, opposition members, allegedly backed by security operatives, forcefully occupied government offices.
> “You are in my state at a critical juncture in our political life,” Adeleke told the diplomats. “We face an existential threat to our democracy from those who should be protecting it. We have done everything possible to ensure peace, yet the police are openly supporting lawlessness.”
Despite these challenges, Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to holding a peaceful and credible local government election on Saturday, dismissing fears of intimidation.
> “Our people are ready for elections. We will not allow democracy to be destroyed,” he vowed.
He further called on the international community to take note of what he described as “the rape of democracy” unfolding in Osun.
> “Security agencies must be impartial. There is no room for self-help in a democracy,” he added.
The political tension escalated further on Wednesday when the Executive Chairman of Ife-Central Local Government, Olayera Elugbaju, stormed the council secretariat with his supporters in defiance of Governor Adeleke’s directive.
Despite a restraining order barring unauthorized access to local government offices, Elugbaju and his loyalists forcefully entered the premises, chanting APC slogans in celebration of his “resumption.” Videos circulating on social media, obtained by Sahara Reporters, show the moment his supporters jubilantly took over the council.
Governor Adeleke had earlier ordered security agencies to take control of all local government secretariats to prevent a breakdown of law and order. However, the defiance of his directive has further intensified the crisis, raising concerns about possible clashes ahead of the upcoming elections.
With both sides refusing to back down, the standoff in Osun State underscores the deepening battle for control of local government administrations in Nigeria—a battle that could have far-reaching consequences for democratic governance in the country.
PIONEER NEWS 