The Osun State Authorities has cautioned the Nigeria Police Drive in opposition to accepting automobiles from native authorities chairmen elected below the All Progressives Congress, describing the deliberate donation as a harmful transfer with hidden motives.
In a strongly worded assertion issued on Friday in Osogbo, the federal government stated the provide of automobiles was a “poisoned reward with malicious, mischievous, and dangerous intentions.”
It warned that accepting such donations may injury the credibility and neutrality of the police.
The assertion was signed by the Commissioner for Data and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who insisted that these at the moment controlling the native authorities councils shouldn’t have a professional mandate.
In response to him, the people parading themselves as council chairmen below the APC lack authorized backing, because the dispute over their tenure continues to be earlier than the courts. He careworn that any try by such officers to assist safety businesses may ship the fallacious sign to the general public.
This comes after the Osun APC introduced plans for its council chairmen to donate operational automobiles to the police to spice up safety efforts throughout the state. The occasion, via its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, defended the transfer and criticised the state authorities for opposing it.
The APC maintained that safety shouldn’t be politicised. It argued that offering logistics and operational assist to the police is critical to deal with rising safety challenges and shield lives and property.
However the state authorities disagreed. It accused the opposition occasion of dragging safety issues into politics. It warned that accepting such donations may compromise the integrity of the police and create the impression of bias.
The federal government additionally identified that the authorized battle over the management of native authorities councils is but to be resolved. Court docket rulings on the matter are anticipated on Might 12 and Might 21, 2026.
It urged the Commissioner of Police within the state to stay impartial and keep away from actions that might undermine public belief within the drive. It additionally known as on the Inspector-Common of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to step in and direct officers within the state to reject the automobiles till the courts give a ultimate verdict.
The disaster over native authorities administration in Osun has lingered for months. It stems from rival claims between chairmen elected in the course of the February 22, 2025 polls carried out below Governor Ademola Adeleke and people elected on October 15, 2022, in the course of the tenure of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Though APC-backed chairmen are at the moment in charge of the councils, the matter stays in courtroom, with each side searching for authorized recognition.