The Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Governor Ademola Adeleke. The allegation comes amid a deepening local government crisis that has sparked violent clashes and multiple fatalities.
PDP’s Allegations Against the Police
At a press conference in Osogbo, PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi claimed that the IGP deployed police special forces to escort armed individuals into local council secretariats, allegedly to incite chaos and destabilize the state. Bisi argued that this was part of a broader conspiracy to weaken Adeleke’s administration and allow opposition figures to seize power.
The crisis intensified when sacked local government chairmen and councilors from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to reclaim their positions. This led to violent confrontations, resulting in multiple deaths, including the killing of Remi Abass, the ousted chairman of Irewole Local Government, in Ikire.
Concerns Over Security and Election Disruption
Bisi questioned why the police acted without the governor’s directive, accusing the IGP of breaching protocol and aggravating tensions rather than maintaining law and order. He suggested that the police intervention was a deliberate effort to disrupt the upcoming local government elections scheduled for February 22, 2025.
The PDP has called on the international community to intervene, warning that the unfolding crisis in Osun State is a critical test of Nigeria’s democracy. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
