According to sources, the Osun State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps may not deploy personnel for today’s local government election. While neither agency has officially confirmed their involvement, insiders suggest that security forces have not received orders to participate in the electoral process.
A senior police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, commented, “We have not received any directives to engage in the polling process. The Federal Government’s stance, as clearly articulated by Attorney General Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is unambiguous. While police and other security personnel will ensure general security, they are not assigned specific duties related to the elections. This decision was made in Abuja.”
In contrast, the Osun Amotekun Corps announced its deployment in accordance with a court order requiring all security agencies to uphold law and order during the election. Commander Isaac Omoyele of the Amotekun Corps stated, “We are involved to ensure a peaceful election process, as mandated by the court.”
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At the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission headquarters in Osogbo, activities were sluggish. While heavy security measures were in place, no officials were available to distribute materials. According to reports, staff members have been steering clear of the office to avoid potential arrests and have relocated materials to a safer location.
Public awareness regarding the upcoming election seems to be quite low, as many residents have voiced their indifference. For instance, a local trader, Yusuf Olutope, confessed that he was unaware of the election and uncertain about his intention to vote, highlighting a broader sense of apathy among the community.
In the meantime, an Osun State High Court declared that vacancies exist in all 30 local government areas and directed the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission to proceed with the elections. Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe noted that the previous election, held on October 15, 2022, was deemed invalid following a ruling by the Federal High Court, a decision that was later upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed vehement disapproval of the court’s injunction requiring security oversight during the forthcoming election, describing it as a “joke taken too far.” Meanwhile, the Labour Party has advocated for a postponement of the election. APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal argued that a lower court lacks the authority to overrule the decisions rendered by an appellate court. He also raised significant concerns about the state of the rule of law in Osun.
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