In a press statement released today, the Osun Democrats for Democracy have publicly condemned what they describe as fraudulent security reports by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), accusing the agency of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the upcoming local government elections in Osun State.
The group asserts that there is no significant insecurity in Osun, claiming the only threats to peace stem from the police’s involvement in enabling the APC’s agenda, which they allege seeks to scuttle the state’s democratic processes. “Our attention has been drawn to fake security and intelligence reports produced by the Nigeria Police Force to support the illegality being spearheaded by the State APC,” the statement reads.
Criticizing the police’s recommendation against proceeding with local government elections, the group describes such advice as partisan and fundamentally flawed. They argue that the NPF has neglected its constitutional duties by allegedly aiding former council chairmen in unlawfully claiming local government secretariats, despite an absence of valid legal orders for their reinstatement.
“The Appeal Court judgment at Akure contains no reinstatement order. But the police opted to enforce a non-existing court order,” the statement states, underscoring the group’s frustration with what they perceive as a failure to adhere to legal standards.
Highlighting the peaceful conduct of elections in Rivers State, where local polls occurred without police involvement, the Osun Democrats for Democracy emphasize that peace can prevail in Osun if the police halt their support of illegality. “Osun is a safe state, and elections can be conducted peacefully if the police stop supporting illegality,” they declared.
The group also criticized the input of the Attorney General, alleging that he acts as an APC operative whose recommendations are rooted in self-interest rather than constitutional authority. “The Attorney General was an interested party, a former Oyetola lawyer who assumed the power of the Court by attempting to stop the Osun election,” they argue, asserting that his views lack legal standing.
The Osun Democrats for Democracy firmly urge the state government to disregard the police’s recommendations and proceed with the scheduled elections, emphasizing that any attempt to obstruct the democratic process is “self-serving, illegal, undemocratic, hypocritical, and unacceptable.”
