Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to uphold neutrality as preparations for the 2026 governorship election gather momentum 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 State Commissioner of Police for their professionalism but raised concerns over what he described as a troubling trend of arrests and detentions of PDP members.
According to the party, the pattern suggests possible collusion between the All Progressives Congress, APC, and certain officers within the police.
Also the PDP alleged that petitions lodged by APC members were being treated with undue urgency, while similar complaints from the PDP received little or no attention.
The party also alleged that in many cases, the Police appeared to act as complainants on behalf of APC petitioners rather than serving as impartial investigators in disputes between the two parties.
“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.
