Police May Withdraw From Osun Council Secretariats, As IGP Disu Reviews Role In Political Disputes –Sources

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, is reportedly taking steps to curb the police force’s involvement in politically sensitive matters in some states of the federation, sources told SaharaReporters.

In Osun State, a local government crisis drew national attention after police were deployed to council secretariats amid a dispute over tenure elongation, which is currently before the courts.

The presence of police at the secretariats raised questions about the Force’s role in the dispute.

Court filings indicate that the tenure of the affected council chairmen expired in October 2025, although some continued to occupy local government secretariats.

The new IGP is said to be reviewing legal briefs and internal reports with a view to ensuring that the police are not seen as supporting unauthorised office occupation, but rather focusing on strengthening security nationwide.

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

In addition to addressing the Osun local government dispute, the IGP is reportedly reviewing the broader practice of police involvement in political petitions.

Previously, there were reports of police acting on behalf of political figures, including arrests and transfers of political suspects.

The anticipated directive is expected to reaffirm that the police should investigate and prosecute crimes based on evidence, not political considerations or instructions from political actors.

One of the sources familiar with the matter said, “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.

“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.”

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

The court, presided over by Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi, on Wednesday dismissed two separate applications filed by counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which sought adjournment and continuation of the case.

The judge held that the matter had lingered for too long, stating that the court could no longer entertain “needless adjournment in the interest of justice.”

The suit was instituted last August 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.

However, proceedings had suffered repeated delays due to several adjournment requests by counsel to the plaintiffs.

There was drama in court on Wednesday when the APC counsel again attempted to stall proceedings, a move strongly opposed by lawyers to the defendants, who urged the court to proceed with the hearing.

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.