The Ọ̀ṣun State Government, led by Senator Adémọ́lá Adélékè, proceeded with Local Government Area elections despite multiple challenges, including last-minute withdrawal by the Labour Party (LP), the absence of the All Progressives Congress (APC), security advisories from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and threats from various quarters.
On Saturday, the streets of Òṣogbo, the state capital, were largely deserted as the election commenced. Shops, markets, and business establishments remained closed, bringing commercial activities to a halt in most parts of the city.
Just hours before the poll, the Labour Party announced its withdrawal from the election.
The party’s state chairman, Mr. Adebayo Bello, cited inadequate security arrangements by the Ọ̀ṣun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) as the reason for their decision, emphasizing concerns about the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Meanwhile, the state government dismissed a security advisory from the Nigeria Police Force, which had raised concerns about the election.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the police of partisanship, alleging bias in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The state government under His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has reviewed the advice and concluded that the proposal from the force headquarters was biased, partisan, and in contravention of democratic tenets,” Alimi stated.
“The police have openly supported the APC, a party pushing for illegality through a non-existent court order. Their role in enforcing an order that was never issued by any court of law proves their partisan stance.”
He further argued that the police were ignoring a court judgment delivered on Friday, which upheld the sack of APC council officials, directed security agencies to ensure a safe electoral process, and cleared the way for the Saturday election.
“Instead of complying with the court order, the police have taken a partisan approach,” he added.
Despite the police position, the Ọ̀ṣun State Government insisted on upholding the rule of law, reaffirming its support for the state electoral commission in conducting a free, fair, and credible election.
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