The Osun State Government has advised the Nigeria Police Force not to accept vehicles from local government chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress, arguing that those currently managing council areas do not have a legitimate mandate.
The government described the intended vehicle donation as a “poisoned gift with malicious, mischievous, and harmful intentions,” and urged the police to reject it to protect the integrity and reputation of the force.
This stance was communicated in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Friday. Earlier, the Osun State chapter of the APC had announced that local government chairmen planned to donate operational vehicles to the police to support security operations.
The APC, through its spokesperson Kola Olabisi, criticised the state government and Governor Ademola Adeleke, emphasizing that protecting lives and property should take priority over political interests. The party insisted that providing logistical support to the police is essential to combat crime and should not be politicised.
Nevertheless, the Osun State Government maintained that the donation should be rejected, condemning what it termed the politicisation of security matters by the APC.
According to the government, the current occupants of local government offices under the APC “lack legal backing,” as the legitimacy of their tenure is under litigation. The statement added that the courts are expected to issue rulings on May 12 and May 21, 2026.
The government called on the state Commissioner of Police to maintain the neutrality of the force and avoid actions that could undermine its credibility. It also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to direct officers in Osun State to reject the vehicles until the court delivers its decisions.
The dispute arises from conflicting claims to local government council control between chairmen elected on February 22, 2025, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, and those elected on October 15, 2022, under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. While APC-backed chairmen currently manage the councils, both parties are seeking judicial validation of their positions.
