By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Government and the leadership of the Accord Party have raised concerns over an alleged plan to deploy a special police squad to the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The government and the party claimed that the squad, reportedly headed by a Chief Superintendent of Police whose identity was not disclosed, was being assembled for operations targeted at prominent Accord Party leaders and some government officials.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the planned operation could heighten political tension and expose party leaders and state officials to harassment and intimidation before and during the election period.
The statement further alleged that the squad might have held meetings with leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), including its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, regarding logistics and operational arrangements ahead of the deployment.
It added that the operation was allegedly being planned without the knowledge of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, a development the government described as disturbing considering the prevailing political atmosphere in the state.
The Osun State Government and the Accord Party therefore appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies, civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor political developments in the state ahead of the election.
“We hereby place an urgent appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the international community to take note of the looming planned mass arrest of, and attacks on, key figures of the Accord Party in Osun State,” the statement read.
The government also urged the Inspector-General of Police and other security authorities to ensure professionalism and neutrality in the discharge of their duties.
It warned against the use of security agencies in ways capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process or creating fear among political actors and residents.
The statement further appealed to political stakeholders and supporters across party lines to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the preservation of peace and democratic stability in Osun State must remain paramount.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to lawful conduct and democratic engagement, expressing confidence that residents of the state would freely exercise their electoral rights without intimidation or fear.
