The Osun State Government and the Accord Party have alleged a plot to deploy a special police squad to the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that the move could increase political tension and threaten the credibility of the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government claimed it received credible intelligence about the planned deployment of the squad, allegedly led by an unnamed Chief Superintendent of Police.
According to the statement, the team is expected to arrive in Osun “any moment from now” and may begin operations targeting prominent members of the Accord Party as well as some state government officials.
The government and party leadership alleged that the operation is intended to facilitate the arrest of political figures, describing the development as a threat to the safety of those involved in the political process.
They warned that any “selective or partisan operation” could expose government officials and party leaders to intimidation and harassment before and during the election period.
The statement also alleged that members of the squad may have held meetings with leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), including the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, regarding logistics and operational plans connected to the deployment.
Expressing concern over the situation, the Osun Government and Accord Party claimed the alleged operation was being carried out without the knowledge of the state Commissioner of Police, describing the development as troubling given the tense political atmosphere.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies, civil society groups, and the international community to closely monitor developments in the state and take necessary steps to ensure peace and protect the democratic process.
The statement urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional and neutral, warning against the use of security agencies for political intimidation.
It added that residents of Osun State would resist, through lawful means, any attempt to undermine democracy through harassment or abuse of power.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not responded to the allegations.
