Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to enforce a non-existent court order. The alleged order aimed to reinstate local government chairpersons and councillors who were removed by a Federal High Court ruling in November 2022.
Governor Adeleke made these claims while meeting with British diplomats, including the British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, in his office.
In a statement from his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke criticized the police for siding with the opposition. He stated that instead of upholding the law, security forces were enabling political interference.
“It is unfortunate that the Inspector General of Police is working with the APC to enforce an order that does not exist. This is a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria,” he told the British diplomats.
Despite these challenges, the governor reassured the diplomats that Osun would hold a peaceful and fair local government election on Saturday.
Governor Adeleke expressed concerns about security agencies, claiming they were assisting illegal political activities instead of protecting democratic processes.
“You are visiting Osun at a critical time. Instead of defending democracy, some forces are threatening it. I have directed politicians to remain peaceful, yet the opposition, with police support, broke into local government secretariats. Security officers openly helped them commit this illegality,” he said.
The governor urged the international community to take note of the situation and call for respect for the rule of law.
Despite the political tension, Adeleke highlighted his administration’s progress in various sectors. He stated that Osun had:
- Reduced infrastructure deficits by 40%
- Cut down state debt by 40%
- Improved workers’ welfare
- Enrolled pensioners in the state health insurance scheme
In response, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the importance of democracy and the rule of law.
“Nigeria is a key partner to the UK, and we encourage all stakeholders to uphold democratic values, ensure peaceful governance, and respect legal institutions,” he said.
As Osun prepares for the upcoming elections, the governor remains firm in his stance against any attempts to undermine democracy in the state.
