The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral as preparations intensify for the 2026 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo, the State Chairman of the PDP, Sunday Bisi, commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for their professionalism.
However, he expressed concern over what the party described as a disturbing pattern of arrests and detentions of its members in recent weeks.
According to the PDP, the trend raises suspicions of collusion between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and certain police officers. The party alleged that petitions filed by APC members were often treated with unusual urgency, while similar complaints from the PDP were either ignored or downplayed.
“The Police appear, in several cases, to act as complainants on behalf of APC petitioners rather than as impartial investigators in disputes between the two parties,” the statement read.
Bisi further disclosed that in many instances, the Police initiated court action against detained PDP members instead of mediating fairly between both sides.
He also alleged that some of these operations were coordinated from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, with attempts made to transfer arrested PDP members to the Federal Capital Territory.
Highlighting that more than four such incidents had been recorded within the past fortnight, the party urged the Police authorities to address the matter before tensions escalate further.
“We have full confidence in the neutrality and professionalism of the Inspector-General of Police and the State Commissioner of Police. What we itemised above may be mere isolated cases or actions of some junior officers,” the statement noted.
The PDP stressed that the Police must act as an impartial arbiter in political disputes and not shield any party. “When APC leaders or members petition the Police against PDP members, the service should conduct neutral investigations instead of protecting the APC petitioners and assuming the role of complainant,” the party insisted.
The opposition party explained that its appeal was intended to safeguard the cordial relationship between political stakeholders and security agencies in the state.
“It is too early for Osun to be embroiled in controversies over rights violations and electoral activities. We believe the Police will correct the negative trend in the interest of fairness, equity, and peace,” the statement concluded.
