The Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, has raised the alarm over alleged plans to create fresh tension at local government councils across the state, urging security agencies to protect council officials and workers.
Lawal’s warning followed a statement by the Osun State Government alleging that some stakeholders were planning to cause crises at local government councils and motor parks following the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
In a statement issued by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC chairman cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against any action capable of plunging the state into another round of political tension.
He said the government’s concerns over possible attacks on council secretariats and motor parks should be taken seriously if based on credible intelligence, but urged the government to provide such information to security agencies for investigation and appropriate action.
Lawal also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect serving local government officials, council workers and other lawful occupants of council premises, irrespective of their political affiliation.
He said the APC-led Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) administrations remained the occupants of the council premises and warned that political differences should not be used to justify their removal by force.
“The APC-led ALGON local government administrations are the current occupants of these council premises. The responsibility of the police is to protect lives and property and guarantee their safety. Nobody should be attacked, intimidated or forcibly removed under the guise of political disagreement,” he said.
The APC chairman urged security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to local government secretariats across the state and prevent individuals or groups from taking the law into their own hands.
Lawal further expressed concern over what he described as the possibility of a repeat of the alleged treatment meted out to Remi Abass, warning against the use of political disagreements as a basis for the abuse of citizens or deployment of state power against political opponents.
He urged Adeleke to exercise restraint and remember that he was governor of the entire state, including those who did not vote for him.
“Osun cannot afford another cycle of political violence. If the government has credible intelligence about plans to attack local government councils or motor parks, let it hand such intelligence over to the security agencies instead of using the allegation to create unnecessary tension,” he said.
Lawal also called on the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to intensify surveillance and preventive deployment around local government secretariats, motor parks and other sensitive locations.
He urged security agencies to remain neutral, professional and impartial in dealing with political disagreements, stressing that the safety of citizens should not be determined by political affiliation.
The APC chairman also cautioned political actors against provocative statements and actions capable of escalating tensions, saying disputes should be resolved through dialogue, constitutional means and, where necessary, the courts.
He said the peace of Osun should not be sacrificed for political interests, urging Adeleke to demonstrate responsible leadership and ensure that government institutions and security agencies were not used for political persecution.
“Osun people are watching. This is the time for responsible leadership, not revenge politics. No political victory is worth the blood, freedom or property of any citizen,” Lawal added.
