Osun govt accuses police of political witch-hunt ahead of 2026 poll
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Osun State Government has accused the Nigeria Police of turning itself into a political weapon, alleging a growing plot to intimidate officials of Ademola Adeleke’s administration ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said some officers in the Osun Police Command were colluding with desperate politicians to criminalise government officials through phantom and politically sponsored petitions.
Alimi urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to investigate what he described as unprofessional conduct within the Osun Command, stressing that the police “cannot abandon its constitutional duty of protecting Nigerians to become an instrument of oppression.”
The commissioner expressed concern that government officials were being hounded because of their political alignment, insisting that holding political beliefs should not attract police persecution in a democracy.
He said, “At a time when the police are expected to focus on taming insecurity and keeping Nigerians safe, it is distasteful that some officers in the Osun State Command are running political errands, acting outside their core responsibilities to silence critical voices.”
Alimi emphasised that the Nigeria Police exists for all Nigerians and must not be a tool of oppression against the citizens it is meant to protect. He called for strict neutrality in political matters to safeguard public trust and national interest.
He further noted that several officials were recently invited in what was clearly a politically motivated witch-hunt, aimed at coercing them to abandon the administration or remain silent. He stressed that the proper forum for grievances is the court, not the police, which is already challenged by insecurity.
Alimi urged the police to purge compromised officers whose conduct portrays them more as politicians than law enforcement officials, warning that the state government would resist any attempt to intimidate its officials.
