Osun party leaders ask police to tackle electoral violence
June 24, 2026 6:45 pm
File photo: Osun State Map
Leadership of some opposition parties in Osun State, on Wednesday demanded tougher measures from the state police command to tackle the rising spate of violent crimes in the state.
The party chairmen made the demand in their separate remarks at a meeting convened by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, and attended by the leadership of some political parties participating in the August 15 Osun governorship poll, religious leaders and selected community leaders.
Others in attendance include, Lt Col. Y. Isyaku of Engineering Construction Command, Army Barrack, Ede, Amao Abiodun from the Nigeria Drug Law Administration and Control Osun State Command, Sola Adeotan of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Osun State Command and F. Isaac from the Fed Fire Service, Osun State command, among others
But the ruling party in the state, the Accord, and the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress did not send representatives to the meeting, which was also attended by the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Osun State chapter, Pastor John Adeleke and a representative of the Ataoja of Osogbo.
In separate submissions at the meeting held at the headquarters of the Osun Police Command in Osogbo, the state chairman of the Booth Party, who is also the governorship candidate of the party, Adesoji Adeleke and the chairman of New Nigeria People’s Party, Tosin Odeyemi, said the identities of the perpetrators of violent crimes in the state and their sponsors were not hidden.
Adeleke while addressing the gathering further said, “Police should be allow to their responsibility. Everyone knows that the two parties behind the crises we having in Osun. The Accord and APC and their representatives that are causing the mayhem are not here at this meeting.
“The police should be alive to their responsibility and protect this state. We all know the sponsors of these crises. Security agents should go after them to stop these killings.”
Earlier, the CP Gotan, is his address, charged political parties and candidates to ensure that the police and other relevant security agencies were adequately notified before any rally, campaign, procession, or political gathering.
“Early notification will enable security agencies to deploy personnel effectively, provide adequate security coverage, manage traffic, prevent clashes, and ensure the safety of participants as well as members of the public. Security agencies can only plan effectively when they are informed in good time.
“We must also strongly discourage all forms of thuggery, gangsterism, and the recruitment or sponsorship of political thugs. Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society. Political leaders should caution their supporters against acts capable of disrupting public peace and should refrain from providing support, encouragement, or protection to individuals who engage in criminal conduct.
“Finally, all stakeholders must embrace a violence-free campaign environment. There should be no attacks, counter-attacks, reprisals, or acts of political vengeance. Differences in political opinion should not translate into hostility or violence,” Gotan said.
The PUNCH reports that the ruling Accord Party and the APC have been trading blames over the rising spate of violent crimes across Osun State.
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