Osun guber: AAC accuse Police of partisanship, call for redeployment of Osun CP
By Ismail Azeez
The African Action Congress (AAC), Osun State chapter, has accused the Nigeria Police Force in the state of partisanship and called on the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Party, in a statement signed on Tuesday by the its Publicity Secretary, Akinlade Semiu Babatunde, alleged that the security situation in Osun had deteriorated despite the recent visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Babatunde cited Monday’s incident at the Old Garage area of Osogbo, where it claimed armed thugs allegedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to take over the motor park, creating panic among traders, commercial drivers and residents.
According to him, the incident was part of a wider pattern of political violence, including alleged killings, kidnappings, intimidation and attacks on opposition members across the state.
“The African Action Congress, Osun State Chapter, raises a grave alarm over the dangerous and shameful descent of Osun into a theatre of thuggery and state-backed anarchy, barely weeks to the August 15th Governorship election.”
“It is an irony of the highest order that despite the much-publicized state visit of the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, Osun has become more insecure, more volatile, and more frightening for ordinary citizens.”
“The latest ugly episode unfolded on Monday at the popular Old Garage in Osogbo, where armed thugs, widely believed to be loyal to the ruling party, attempted to violently take over the garage, unleashing terror on traders, drivers and residents for hours. This was not a mere street brawl, it was a brazen show of political impunity.”
“This is not isolated. Across Osun, we have recorded disturbing reports of political killings, kidnappings, intimidation and daylight attacks on opposition voices. Even where arrests are announced, the masterminds walk free, emboldened by what appears to be state cover.”
“What is more provocative and unacceptable is the emerging role of the Osun State Police Command itself. The Command has abandoned its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property and has degenerated into a partisan outfit. Nigerians have all seen the viral video where men in police uniform were openly fraternizing and providing cover for thugs loyal to the APC. That is not policing, that is aiding and abetting criminality in uniform.”
“The game plan is now open. Step one: use the compromised State Police Command to truncate the peace. Step two: declare Osun too volatile for election. Step three: procure a postponement of the guber poll by six months and smuggle in an unelected Administrator to do the bidding of Abuja. This evil plot will fail.”
“Osun is not a conquered territory. It cannot be seized through the backdoor.”
“If the APC feels it has become irredeemably unpopular among Nigerians due to its moribund and anti-people policies that have inflicted hunger, pain and hopelessness on the masses, it should have the courage to face the electorate and accept defeat at the polls, instead of plotting an unconstitutional takeover.”
“We call on all lovers of democracy, civil society, labour, youth groups and the international community to place Osun on the watchlist. An injury to democracy in Osun is an injury to democracy everywhere.”
“The election must hold on August 15th. Our people must be allowed to vote. There is no room for anarchy in Osun,” the statement read.