Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
The Osun State Police Command has warned political actors, supporters and other groups against any attempt to forcefully take over local government secretariats, offices or properties across the state.
The warning comes amid renewed tension over the control of local government councils following ongoing legal disputes involving rival political camps. The police urged all parties to exercise restraint and allow the courts to determine the matter through established legal procedures.
The Command said any attempt to enforce political claims through force could undermine public safety and create unnecessary tension in communities.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police were aware of the sensitive nature of the local government dispute and were monitoring developments across the state.
The Command stressed that court judgments must be enforced through lawful channels rather than through self-help or unilateral actions by individuals and political groups.
Police insist on due process
The police warning is particularly significant because the dispute over the leadership and administration of Osun’s local government areas has generated competing claims from the major political camps.
A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo had on June 15, 2026, dismissed a suit filed by council chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking tenure elongation. The judgment subsequently became a major point of disagreement between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Following the ruling, the Osun State Government sought police protection for officials elected in the February 22, 2025 local government election, arguing that they should be allowed to resume their duties.
The development heightened tensions over who had the legal authority to occupy and administer several council secretariats.
The APC, however, maintained that it had taken steps to challenge the judgment and sought to prevent what it described as an unlawful takeover of the councils pending further judicial proceedings. Reports at the time indicated that an appeal and an application for stay of execution had been filed.
Police warn against confrontation
Against this background, the police said political disagreements should not be allowed to develop into physical confrontations.
The Command specifically warned against the forceful occupation of local government premises, offices and properties, describing such actions as unlawful and capable of worsening the security situation.
The police also urged political leaders and their supporters to avoid provocative statements or actions that could inflame tensions.
The warning follows reports of heightened activity around some council premises. On Monday, reports emerged of gunshots at the Ede North Local Government Secretariat as supporters of the Accord Party gathered at the premises following the recent Osun governorship election.
While the circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire remain subject to investigation, the incident highlights the potential security risks surrounding politically contested public institutions.
Political disputes should remain in court
The Osun local government controversy demonstrates the difficulties that can arise when competing political groups interpret judicial decisions differently.
Rather than allowing supporters to physically assert control of government facilities, the police have urged all parties to return to the appropriate legal institutions.
The Command’s position is that the rule of law must guide the resolution of the dispute.
This approach is particularly important because local government councils provide essential services to residents, including administration, grassroots development and other public functions.
Any prolonged disruption of council activities could affect ordinary citizens who depend on local government institutions for public services.
The dispute has previously prompted competing requests for police intervention. In June, the Osun State Government asked for security protection for officials elected on the PDP platform, while the APC called on security agencies to prevent what it considered an unlawful takeover of council secretariats.
Security agencies on heightened alert
The police said they have placed the Command on heightened alert to ensure that law and order are maintained throughout the state.
The move is intended to prevent political disagreements from escalating into violence and to protect government facilities and residents.
The Command also warned that individuals or groups that attempt to disrupt public order or take the law into their own hands could face police action.
For residents, the police intervention is a reminder that the dispute remains primarily a legal and political matter rather than one that should be resolved through physical occupation of public buildings.
Calls for calm
The police appealed to all political actors, their supporters and members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the legal process continues.
The Command maintained that grievances and disagreements should be channelled through the courts and other appropriate constitutional mechanisms.
The emphasis on patience is aimed at preventing a repeat of confrontations that could endanger lives, damage property or disrupt economic activities across Osun State.
The local government dispute also comes at a politically sensitive period for the state, making restraint among political actors particularly important.
Political parties have the right to pursue their interests and challenge decisions they disagree with, but those rights must be exercised within the limits of the law.
What happens next?
The immediate focus will be on maintaining peace around local government secretariats while the legal questions surrounding the councils continue to be addressed.
The police are expected to remain vigilant in areas considered vulnerable to confrontation and to respond to any attempt to breach public order.
For the competing political camps, the latest warning reinforces the importance of using the judiciary rather than force to establish their claims.
Ultimately, the resolution of the dispute will depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal process and the willingness of all sides to respect judicial decisions.
For Osun residents, the priority remains stability and uninterrupted access to local government services.
The Police Command has therefore made it clear that political differences will not be permitted to become a justification for forceful occupation of council premises.
As the legal battle continues, stakeholders are being urged to exercise patience, respect the rule of law and avoid actions capable of plunging communities into avoidable conflict.
Sources:
- Punch Newspapers
- PressPoint News
- NDR
- The Guardian Nigeria
- TheCable
