…The Osun CP has completely derailed from his constitutional duties
…An Open Appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu from Comrade James Onifade
Dear Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu,
The Osun APC is no stranger to political controversy. Yet this latest episode is the most troubling to date. Beyond the political accusations lies a deeper concern: the growing perception that the Osun State Police Command has abandoned its constitutional duty of neutrality and has become entangled in partisan politics.
For months, the people of Osun have watched with alarm as political violence, intimidation, and attacks allegedly linked to thuggery have spread across the state. Despite these recurring incidents, there has been little progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice. This persistent failure has created a dangerous public perception: that those behind the violence enjoy protection, not prosecution.
The controversy surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on Hon. Wole Oke has only deepened these concerns. Following the release of a video containing statements from some of those arrested, serious questions have emerged about the integrity of the investigation conducted by the Osun State Police Command.
The clear contradiction between the Command’s earlier public narrative and the contents of the video has left many Osun residents wondering whether the investigation was truly impartial.
If the investigation was professional, the Command should have nothing to hide. The facts should be made public, and every stage of the process should withstand scrutiny. Instead, what has emerged has only strengthened the suspicion that innocent individuals and members of the Accord may have been unfairly dragged into a politically charged narrative.
Mr. Inspector-General, this is no longer about one politician or one political party. It is about the credibility of policing in Osun State. When citizens believe the police have taken sides, public confidence collapses. Without that trust, effective policing becomes impossible.
Equally worrisome is the pattern of political attacks across Osun. Reports of violence involving political thugs continue to surface, yet few arrests have led to meaningful prosecution or justice. This raises a critical question: if perpetrators truly feared the law, would these attacks continue with such frequency and boldness?
Many residents now believe that certain political actors operate with impunity because they assume official protection. Whether true or not, this perception is one the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force cannot afford to ignore. Public confidence is built not only on fairness, but also on the appearance of fairness.
Restoring that confidence rests squarely with the leadership of the Force. The office of Commissioner of Police carries enormous responsibility. Once the public questions the neutrality of that office, decisive intervention is required to protect the integrity of the institution.
Mr. Olatunji Disu, the people of Osun are looking to your office for leadership. We respectfully urge you to order an independent review of the investigation into the alleged assassination attempt involving Hon. Wole Oke, and all related matters that have generated widespread concern.
Such a review must determine whether due process was followed and whether the Osun State Police Command acted with the impartiality the law demands.
Furthermore, to restore public confidence and remove any appearance of political compromise, we urge your office to consider the immediate redeployment of the current Osun Commissioner of Police pending the outcome of the review. This should not be seen as a declaration of guilt, but as an administrative step to assure the people of Osun that justice is not only being done, but is also seen to be done.
Osun State deserves a Police Command that is respected by all political parties, feared only by criminals, and trusted by every law-abiding citizen. The police must never be perceived as an extension of any political structure, or as a shield for those who sponsor violence.
The peace of Osun cannot be sustained where allegations of political violence are met with public distrust in the very institution charged with enforcing the law. Your timely intervention is therefore both necessary and urgent.
Mr. Inspector-General, history will remember those who acted to defend the integrity of public institutions. We appeal to you to restore confidence in policing in Osun by ensuring that justice is transparent, accountability is uncompromised, and the Nigeria Police Force remains faithful to its constitutional mandate.
The people of Osun deserve nothing less.
Signed:
Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and Judicial Reform
