The Osun State Government has rejected the security advice from the Nigeria Police Force regarding the conduct of local government elections, describing it as biased and contrary to the rule of law.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the state government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, expressed concerns that the police advisory appeared to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby compromising the neutrality of the security agency.
“The government has reviewed the advice and concluded that it is partisan, undemocratic, and an attempt to undermine a legitimate electoral process”.
“The pretense of the police in serving public interest while covertly advancing APC’s illegal stance reinforces our rejection of what is clearly a Greek gift”, the statement read.
The government accused the police of openly siding with the APC by enforcing a reinstatement order that, it claimed, was non-existent.
It stated that the police had thrown professionalism aside and had now become a partisan wing of the APC, attempting to subvert the democratic process with misleading legal claims.
The Osun government also cited a fresh court judgment delivered on Friday, which it said validated its position.
According to the ruling, vacancies exist in Osun councils, affirming the removal of APC-backed local government officials.
The court also directed the police and other security agencies to ensure security for the elections and authorized the conduct of fresh local government elections on Saturday, February 22.
“Instead of complying with a valid court ruling, the police have chosen to maintain their partisan stance”.
“However, the Osun State Government remains committed to upholding the rule of law, which is why we are standing firmly with the state electoral commission to ensure a free, fair, and credible election tomorrow”, the statement added.
The government urged residents to disregard any attempts at voter intimidation and exercise their civic rights peacefully.
It also acknowledged the police advisory but stated that it had been respectfully declined in the interest of democratic principles.
