Osun poll: Accord Party, Police differ over officers’ neutrality

By Shina Abubakar, OSOGBO

AHEAD of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Accord Party and Police Command, yesterday, traded accusations over the neutrality of security agencies in the state.

The Chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande, accused the Osun Police Command of providing cover for suspected thugs, while members of rival groups, particularly transport union members, were subjected to harassment and selective arrests.

Akande urged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to order an impartial investigation into the activities of all individuals linked to the recent violence in the state and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted regardless of political affiliation.

However, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and misleading, maintaining that it remained committed to professionalism, impartiality and the rule of law.

He said it had never provided protection for any individual, political party or criminal group, stressing that its operations were intelligence-driven and based strictly on credible evidence.

Ojelabi said: “Arrests were not carried out based on media reports, political statements or social media allegations, but on evidence capable of sustaining prosecution in court. Several suspects linked to breaches of public peace had already been arrested, investigated and charged where sufficient evidence existed, while investigations into other reported incidents were ongoing.

“Some of the arrested suspects had confessed to plans to procure arms and ammunition to perpetrate further violence.”

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