Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reviewed the just concluded visit to the state by the Inspector General of Police, and listed some of the expectations of all stakeholders for impartial and fair policing before, during and after the upcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor commended the police boss for the fact finding visitation and posited that residents and citizens of the state expected immediate implementation of measures to ensure effective, non-partisan law enforcement.
Noting that the visit must have been an eye opener for the IGP, the governor opined that from the submissions of all political groups and the interaction with other community stakeholders, the police boss must enforce oversight for immediate implementation of agreed positions and conclusions.
“We appreciate the visit of the Inspector General of Police and that of the Deputy Inspector General a week earlier. The facts are out in the public domain.
“The IGP has heard and read from both parties. My only interest is to safeguard the safety of my people and protection of lives and properties ahead of the elections.
“We expect the IGP to hold his men at the Osun state command accountable. The Commissioner of Police must as a matter of necessity be compelled to avoid partisanship in both investigation and prosecution of cases of political violence. That is the only way the police can secure and regain the confidence of the people.
“We seek the arrest of any law breaker irrespective of their political affiliation. Those who commit crimes should be arrested and prosecuted. We harbour no thugs in Government House or anywhere. The police should do its job in line with best policing practices. We are opposed to politicisation of criminal investigations.
“Osun people want a secured environment to cast their votes. The killings and attacks are not conducive to genuine exercise of rights to vote and be voted for. So we expect the IGP and other security agencies to secure Osun state and her people before, during and after the August 15 elections,” the governor stated.