The Osun State Government and the leadership of the Accord Party have raised an alarm over an alleged plan to deploy a special police squad to arrest some party leaders and top government officials. This comes as preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Alleged Special Squad Deployment
In a statement issued on Monday, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, disclosed that credible information indicated arrangements had been concluded to create and deploy a special police squad ahead of the election. The squad, reportedly led by a Chief Superintendent of Police whose name was withheld, is expected to arrive in the state imminently and commence operations targeting prominent Accord Party members and government officials, thereby endangering their safety and security.
Concerns Over Political Tension
The statement expressed concern that such selective and partisan operations, if carried out, could heighten political tension in the state and expose government officials and Accord leaders to harassment and intimidation before and during the election period. The government noted that the reported operation was being planned without the knowledge of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, a development described as troubling given the sensitive political atmosphere.
Appeals to President and International Community
The Osun State Government and the Accord Party called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other security agencies, civil society organizations, and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State ahead of the governorship election. The statement urged the President and the international community to take note of the looming planned mass arrest and attacks on key figures of the Accord Party.
Call for Professionalism
The statement also warned that the peace-loving people of Osun State would resist, through lawful means, any attempt to undermine the democratic process through intimidation, harassment, or abuse of state power. It charged the police authorities to follow the path of peace and professionalism and not allow security personnel to be used in ways that could compromise the credibility of the electoral process. The statement further urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral and professional in discharging its constitutional responsibilities and to avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
