Osun State Government has rejected the security advice from the Nigeria Police which advised for the suspension of the local government election planned for Saturday, 22 February, 2025 (today).
The government, in a statement signed by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment on Friday, 21 February, 2025, stated that the grounds for rejecting the advice were based on the rule of law and aversion to police partisanship.
Acknowledging the security advice, the state government revealed that it reviewed the advice and came to the conclusion that the proposal from the force headquarters was biased, partisan, and in contravention of democratic tenets.
The government also accused the police of pursuing partisan interests rather than obeying court order and working against the rule of law.
“Instead of the police to obey court order, the service is regrettably pursuing its partisan line by actively working against rule of law as espoused by today’s court ruling.
“If the police chose to disobey court orders, the Osun State government will not go against rule of law, hence the decision of the state government to support the state electoral commission to conduct a credible free and fair elections tomorrow.
“We thank the police for their advice. We respectfully turned down the request while we urged Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday,” it stated.
The Nigeria Police had on Friday, 21February, 2025 issued a statement calling for the suspension of the local government elections in the state based in credible intelligence obtained.
In the statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police said, “the credible intelligence indicating a high likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned Local Government elections proceed in Osun State.
“These reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering reveal that various groups, including political elements and other interest parties, are mobilizing to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace, and undermine the democratic order.”
The Nigeria Police also urged the Osun State Government to consider the legal implication of going ahead with today’s local government poll.
