The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, Otunba Sarafadeen Abiodun Awotunde, has issued a strong caution to the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Ikirun Area Commander over reported attempts to intimidate elders and community leaders in Ikirun in connection with the ongoing chieftaincy matter.
Following the recent visit of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, to Ikirun and his clear resolve to permanently end the lingering kingship crisis in the town, certain disgruntled elements allegedly backed by the APC have become unsettled. These elements, rather than embracing peace, have reportedly resorted to harassment and intimidation of respected elders of Ikirun and leaders of the National Ikirun Progressives Union (NIPU) who genuinely supported the Governor’s lawful executive intervention that restored calm to the community.
Otunba Awotunde stated that he has it on good authority that these disgruntled elements have enlisted the support of security agencies, including the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Ikirun Area Commander, to harass and destabilize the Akinrun-in-Council led by the Chief Eesa, Alhaji AbdulKareem Adetoyese Lawal, as well as other innocent leaders and highly respected elders of Ikirun.
The ALGON Chairman emphasized that the Ikirun Chieftaincy matter squarely falls within the constitutional and executive powers of the Governor of Osun State. He recalled that it was Governor Adeleke who ordered the closure of the palace in the interest of peace, and it was the same Governor who later approved the reopening of the palace strictly for clearing and renovation purposes, also in the interest of sustained peace. Therefore, the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the Ikirun Area Commander should remain professional, neutral, and be guided strictly by the rule of law, and not allow themselves to be used by politicians or political groups hiding under the cover of security operations to destabilize Ikirun once again.
“The peace currently enjoyed in Ikirun must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation. Any attempt to intimidate traditional institutions, elders, or peace-loving leaders of the community will be strongly resisted within the confines of the law,”
Ifelodun Local Government under my watch reiterated its full support for the proactive and peace-driven interventions of Governor Ademola Adeleke, and called on all security agencies to complement the Governor’s efforts by protecting lives, institutions, and communal harmony rather than undermining them.
