A political analyst, Abdulateef Ahmed, has said the actions of security operatives, particularly the police, during the recently concluded local government election in Osun State.
The New Daily Prime gathered that tensions ran high in the state in the lead-up to the election, as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, called for its suspension.
Despite this, the police deployed a tactical squad to local government secretariats as the election progressed.
During the exercise, the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, raised alarm over the arrest of commission officials by the police.
Following the election, Governor Ademola Adeleke swore in the newly elected chairmen from the 30 local government areas—all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—and instructed them to stay away from the secretariats.
Reacting to the police actions before, during, and after the election, Mr Ahmed, in an exclusive interview with this newspaper, stated that the police conduct suggested political bias or intimidation.
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He further asserted that such actions eroded public trust in the electoral system.
He said: “First, it is most unfortunate that senseless politically-motivated killings happened a few days after the Southwest governors showed exemplary leadership promising to tackle insecurity in the region.
“Democracy thrives on free, fair, and transparent elections, but it also requires respect for institutions and adherence to legal procedures. The events in Osun raise concerns about the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.”
He stated that true democracy requires not only the ability to conduct elections but also post-election stability, ensuring that electoral institutions operate effectively without undue interference.
According to him, the actions of security operatives in the recently concluded election indicate that the country is still struggling with democratic maturity, as political competition often escalates into security and institutional conflicts.
Mr Ahmed asserted that the Osun LG election highlights the deep-seated political divide between parties in Nigeria.
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“While it is commendable that the election was conducted successfully, the pre-election violence and post-election security clampdown highlight recurring democratic challenges. Governor Adeleke’s gratitude to President Tinubu and the electoral body may indicate an attempt at political reconciliation.
“But the sealing of the electoral commission’s office raises questions about the independence of institutions. For Nigeria’s democracy to grow, there must be clear, impartial application of the law, respect for democratic institutions, and an end to the use of security forces as political tools”, said Mr Ahmed.
He emphasised that sealing off the electoral commission’s office and arresting officials after the election raise serious concerns about the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.
“If the election was indeed smooth, as suggested, then such actions contravene the spirit of democracy. It shows some underlying political interference, attempts to challenge the legitimacy of the process, or preemptive measures to prevent alleged irregularities.
“It was expected that the Police will provide clear justification for their actions, otherwise, it risks being seen as a misuse of state security forces for political ends.”
