By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Local Government chairmen elected on the platform Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), on February 22, last year, have accused the State Commissioner of Police and other senior officers of alleged intimidation of traditional rulers and community leaders in Ikirun over the ongoing chieftaincy crisis.
They levelled the allegation in a statement by their leader,who is also the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Mr. Sarafadeen Awotunde.
He alleged that some individuals, allegedly acting with the backing of the police leadership, have been harassing elders in Ikirun and leaders of the National Ikirun Progressives Union (NIPU).
According to him, the alleged actions followed the recent visit of Governor Ademola Adeleke to Ikirun, during which the governor reaffirmed his commitment to bringing a lasting resolution to the protracted kingship dispute in the town.
Awotunde further alleged that those behind the intimidation had “enlisted the support of security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Ikirun Area Commander, to harass and destabilise the Akinrun-in-Council led by the Chief Eesa, Alhaji AbdulKareem Adetoyese Lawal, as well as other respected elders and leaders of Ikirun.”
He stressed that the Ikirun chieftaincy matter falls squarely within the constitutional and executive authority of the Governor of Osun State.
He recalled that Governor Adeleke had earlier ordered the closure of the palace in the interest of peace and later approved its reopening strictly for clearing and renovation purposes, also to ensure sustained calm in the community.
The PDP LG chairman urged the police leadership in the state to remain professional and neutral, warning against allowing security agencies to be used by political interests to destabilise the town.
“The Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Ikirun Area Commander must be guided strictly by the rule of law and resist being drawn into political or partisan issues under the guise of security operations,” he said.
Awotunde further warned that the prevailing peace in Ikirun should not be jeopardised by what he described as political desperation.
“The peace currently enjoyed in Ikirun must not be sacrificed. Any attempt to intimidate traditional institutions, elders, or peace-loving leaders of the community will be firmly resisted within the confines of the law,” he added.
