IGP Moves to Curb Police Involvement in Political Disputes, Reviews Osun LG Crisis

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is taking steps to limit the police force’s involvement in politically sensitive matters across the country, with the Osun State local government crisis currently under review, sources have disclosed.

According to sources familiar with the development, the new IGP is examining legal briefs and internal reports to ensure the police are not perceived as supporting unauthorised occupation of public offices. The focus, sources say, is on strengthening national security and maintaining impartiality.

In Osun State, a dispute over local government administration drew national attention after police personnel were deployed to council secretariats amid a tenure elongation controversy currently before the courts. Court filings indicate that the tenure of the affected council chairmen expired in October 2025, although some individuals have continued to occupy local government secretariats.

Sources at Force Headquarters revealed that directives are expected to be issued to state commands to withdraw police personnel from local government secretariats involved in disputed circumstances. The personnel are to return to regular duties, including providing security for all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

Beyond the Osun situation, the IGP is also reviewing the broader practice of police involvement in political petitions. There have been previous reports of police acting on behalf of political figures, including arrests and transfers of political suspects.

A source familiar with the matter said the anticipated directive would reaffirm that the police should investigate and prosecute crimes based on evidence, not political considerations or instructions from political actors.

“The new IGP is planning reforms to restore the integrity of the police. The report he received in the case involving Osun, for instance, also highlighted concerns about public perception and the need to maintain impartiality,” the source said.

“He has specific instructions to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, directly from the National Security Adviser and the President. The involvement of police in disputes over tenure raised concerns, politically motivated cases and exploitation and the leadership is focused on correcting this.”

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has rejected applications seeking to delay proceedings in a substantive suit over the tenure of local government officials in Osun State, reserving judgment for May 21.

Presiding judge, Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi, on Wednesday dismissed two separate applications filed by counsel to the All Progressives Congress, which sought adjournment and continuation of the case. The judge held that the matter had lingered for too long and that the court could no longer entertain “needless adjournment in the interest of justice.”

The suit was instituted in August 2025 by officials under the APC who lay claim to local government chairmanship positions in the state, seeking judicial interpretation on the legality of their tenure. Proceedings had suffered repeated delays due to several adjournment requests by counsel to the plaintiffs.

In a short ruling, Justice Demi-Ajayi dismissed the fresh application for adjournment and directed counsel to all parties to open their cases for the court’s consideration.

Arguing the plaintiffs’ position, counsel to the APC contended that the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Akure had restored them to office after their initial removal by the Federal High Court. He urged the court to hold that their tenure should begin from February 2025, when the appellate judgment was delivered.

The defendants’ counsel, however, countered this claim, arguing that the APC had misconstrued the decisions of the Court of Appeal, insisting that no part of the judgment restored the sacked officials to office.

They further argued that the plaintiffs’ occupation of council secretariats amounted to disobedience of the Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 30, 2022, which removed them from office. According to the defence, the decision was subsequently upheld by two separate judgments of the Court of Appeal delivered on January 13, 2025, and June 13, 2025.