Speaker urges IGP, Tinubu to wade into Osun LG crisis

The speaker of the Osun state House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has  called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and President Bola Tinubu, to intervene in the imbroglio in the state before democracy is  truncated.

Addressing journalists at the assembly, Wednesday, Egbedun expressed displeasure over the role of policemen in the crisis, alleging that the some elements within the force have compromised.

He stated that the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), forcefully broke into local government secretariats across the state, describing the action as direct attack on democratic institutions and a clear violation of the rule of law and threat to public peace and order.

“Even more disturbing is the fact that security agencies, who are meant to uphold the law were present while these illegal acts were carried out. This is unjust, unlawful and unacceptable. Law enforcement agencies must never be seen aiding and abetting criminal activities.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that this state will not succumb to political banditry and unconstitutional actions. Every individual found guilty of orchestrating or participating in this lawless takeover will be brought to book and held accountable under the full weight of the law,” Egbedun said.

He said the assembly condemned any form of lawlessness, violence, or forceful occupation of government institutions, saying the Federal High Court’s judgment remains binding and must be respected by all parties until set aside by a competent court.

“We had anticipated that external pressures might attempt to manipulate security agencies in Osun state, but we never expected that such compromises would emerge this early. We thought these forces would at least wait until the next gubernatorial election before making their moves, but instead, they have chosen to destabilise our state prematurely.

“The Osun state House of Assembly is not unaware of the close relationship between Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun state and the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Inspector General of Police. However, while personal relationships may exist, the security of Osun state must never be sacrificed on the altar of friendship at the expense of the rule of law.

“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should manipulate security agencies to serve political interests at the expense of peace and stability. The police must not allow themselves to become a tool for political subjugation or a shield for those violating the law,” Egbedun said.

On the local government election slated for Saturday, Egbedun urged the electorates to troop out en-masse and freely exercise their democratic right to vote for their preferred candidates, vowing that “no amount of intimidation, violence, or political desperation will stop the democratic process.”