Osun State Government has rejected the Nigerian Police Force’s advice to suspend the Saturday local government elections, citing concerns over police partisanship and the need to uphold the rule of law.
This was contained in a statement signed Friday by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi.
The government expressed its commitment to conducting free and fair elections, despite the police’s claims of potential security threats.
The government alleged that the police have been biased in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and have actively worked against the rule of law.
According to the government, a recent court judgment has authenticated the sacking of APC council chiefs and directed the police to provide security for the election. Despite this, the government claims the police are pursuing a partisan agenda.
“If the police choose to disobey court orders, the Osun State Government will not go against the rule of law, hence, the decision of the state government to support the state electoral commission to conduct a credible free and fair elections tomorrow (Saturday).
“We thank the police for their advice. We respectfully turn down the request while we urge Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday,” the statement partly read.
The elections, TRIBUNE ONLINE gathered, are scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 22, and the Osun State Government has urged voters to exercise their rights peacefully.
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