Osun Assembly calls on IGP to act amidst APC’s takeover of LG secretariats
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Osun State House of Assembly has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate and decisive action to address the forceful takeover of local government secretariats across the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had taken control of nearly all local government secretariats in the state.
Addressing a press conference at the Assembly complex in Osogbo on Wednesday, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun called on the IGP to ensure the immediate eviction of all illegal occupants of the secretariats and to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the unlawful invasion.
Egbedun emphasized that swift action was necessary to restore law and order and prevent further escalation of violence and political intimidation.
He also urged the IGP to restore public confidence in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force, insisting that any officers who facilitated or failed to prevent the illegal occupation should be held accountable.
“The Osun State House of Assembly is not unaware of the close relationship between Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Inspector General of Police,” Egbedun stated.
“However, while personal relationships may exist, the security of Osun State must never be sacrificed on the altar of friendship at the expense of the rule of law.
“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should manipulate security agencies to serve political interests at the expense of peace and stability. The police must not allow themselves to become a tool for political subjugation or a shield for those violating the law.”
Egbedun also reaffirmed that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, remain sacrosanct, calling on all eligible voters in Osun State to come out en masse and exercise their democratic right to vote for their preferred candidates.
“The Osun State House of Assembly assures the people that no amount of intimidation, violence, or political desperation will stop the democratic process.
“We also call on security operatives to carry out their duties professionally, ensuring that voters are safe, polling units are protected, and law and order are maintained before, during, and after the elections,” he added.
