The Osun State Authorities has cautioned the Nigeria Police Power in opposition to accepting autos 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 supply of autos was a “poisoned present with malicious, mischievous, and dangerous intentions.”
It warned that accepting such donations might harm 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 present controlling the native authorities councils wouldn’t have a professional mandate.
In keeping with him, the people parading themselves as council chairmen below the APC lack authorized backing, because the dispute over their tenure remains to be earlier than the courts. He harassed that any try by such officers to assist safety companies might ship the mistaken sign to the general public.
This comes after the Osun APC introduced plans for its council chairmen to donate operational autos to the police to spice up safety efforts throughout the state. The celebration, by means of 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 sort out rising safety challenges and shield lives and property.
However the state authorities disagreed. It accused the opposition celebration of dragging safety issues into politics. It warned that accepting such donations might 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. Courtroom rulings on the matter are anticipated on Could 12 and Could 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 power. It additionally known as on the Inspector-Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to step in and direct officers within the state to reject the autos till the courts give a last verdict.
The disaster over native authorities administration in Osun has lingered for months. It stems from rival claims between chairmen elected throughout the February 22, 2025 polls carried out below Governor Ademola Adeleke and people elected on October 15, 2022, throughout the tenure of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Though APC-backed chairmen are at present in command of the councils, the matter stays in court docket, with either side in search of authorized recognition.