Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have renewed their exchange over security and policing in the state.

The latest disagreement is coming after the recent fact-finding visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke, who said residents expected impartial policing before, during and after the election, urged the police to implement measures that would guarantee fairness and public confidence.

The governor commended the Inspector-General’s visit, saying it provided an opportunity for all political parties and community stakeholders to present their positions on the security situation in the state.

According to Adeleke, “the discussions during the visit should guide the immediate implementation of agreed measures aimed at ensuring non-partisan law enforcement across Osun State.

“We appreciate the visit of the Inspector General of Police and that of the Deputy Inspector General a week earlier. The facts are out in the public domain. The IGP has heard and read from both parties.”

Adeleke added that the Commissioner of Police in Osun should remain impartial in the investigation and prosecution of cases of political violence adding that such an approach was necessary to sustain public confidence in the police.

“We seek the arrest of any law breaker irrespective of their political affiliation. Those who commit crimes should be arrested and prosecuted. We harbour no thugs in Government House or anywhere,” he stated.

The governor also called on security agencies to provide a secure environment for voters, adding that killings and attacks were not conducive to the exercise of democratic rights. He pledged his administration’s continued support for security agencies while insisting that the government sought only fair, impartial policing.

Meanwhile, the Osun APC said the Inspector-General’s remarks during his visit supported its earlier allegation that individuals accused of criminal activities were being sheltered within the Osun Government House.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC claimed that the Inspector-General had directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to professionally address the allegation.

The opposition party alleged that, “any police action should extend beyond the Government House if investigations required it. Suspected political hoodlums had been shielded from arrest.”

The APC also criticised comments previously made by Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, describing his response to the Inspector-General’s remarks as “misplaced” and a mere afterthought.

The party accused the state government of politicising security matters and insisted that law enforcement agencies should thoroughly investigate all allegations relating to political violence in the state.