Osun 2026: PDP urges police neutrality ahead of elections

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The Osun State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Nigeria Police Force to maintain impartiality as the 2026 governorship election draws near.

In a statement released on Monday in Osogbo, PDP State Chairman, Sunday Bisi, acknowledged the professionalism of both the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police.

However, he expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing pattern involving the arrest and detention of PDP members.

The party suggested that the trend could point to possible collaboration between members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and certain police officers.

According to the PDP, complaints submitted by APC members were being given swift attention, while similar petitions from their own party were allegedly overlooked or ignored.

They further claimed that in several situations, the police appeared to take on the role of complainants on behalf of APC supporters, rather than maintaining a neutral stance and investigating issues from both sides fairly.

“Rather than calling the two complainants together, the Police mostly designated themselves as the complainant against the detained PDP members and proceeded to initiate court action,” the statement read.

The PDP also expressed concern that such operations were frequently initiated from Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, with attempts at times to transfer arrested PDP members to the Federal Capital Territory.

Revealing that more than four such incidents had occurred within the past two weeks, the party urged Police authorities to address the matter before it escalates 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 insisted that APC petitioners should no longer be shielded by the Police, stressing that the force must act as an impartial arbiter.

“Attempts to justify the trend on the ground that Police were involved in the issue fall flat because the same defence could have been provided by the PDP.

“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 position of the petitioners,” the party said.

It added that the appeal was aimed at preserving the positive working relationship between the Police and political stakeholders in the state.

“It is too early for Osun to be involved in controversy over rights issues and electoral activities. We believe the Police will correct the negative trend in the interest of fairness, equity, and peace,” the statement concluded.

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