The Osun State Police Command has issued a stern warning to political actors, groups and individuals against any attempt to forcibly take control of local government secretariats or interfere with the administration of councils in the State.
The warning came on Monday, August 17, 2026, shortly after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election, amid continuing legal disagreements surrounding the control and administration of local government areas.
The Commissioner of Police, Election, Osun State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, urged all parties involved in the dispute to resist the temptation to resort to self-help, stressing that disputes concerning local government administration should be resolved through the courts and other established legal channels.
Erale, while congratulating residents of Osun on what he described as the successful and peaceful conclusion of the governorship election, commended voters, political parties, candidates, election officials, community leaders and other stakeholders for their role in maintaining peace during the exercise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026. The Commission had previously assured stakeholders that it was prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election across the State’s 30 local government areas.
However, the Police Commissioner said the Command had received reports suggesting that some individuals or groups were planning to occupy local government facilities and assume control of council affairs by force.
He warned that such action would not be tolerated, particularly because the underlying local government dispute remains subject to judicial proceedings.
According to Erale, no individual, political party, association or group has the authority to bypass the legal process and use force to enforce a claim to public office or government facilities.
“The Police Command wishes to state clearly that no individual, political group, or association has the right to resort to self-help or the use of force,” the Commissioner said.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the local government controversy to exercise restraint and allow the courts to determine the issues before them.
The warning is significant because disputes over local government leadership in Osun have previously generated serious political tension and confrontation.
The State witnessed violent incidents in February 2025 following attempts by rival political interests to take control of local government secretariats. The House of Representatives subsequently called on security agencies to restore normalcy and urged parties involved in the dispute to pursue judicial enforcement rather than resort to force.
The latest police intervention therefore appears aimed at preventing a recurrence of such incidents as political and legal disagreements over local councils continue.
Erale warned that any attempt to forcibly enter, occupy or disrupt the activities of local government secretariats would be treated as a serious threat to public peace.
He further stated that individuals found participating in such activities could be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner also appealed to parents, traditional rulers, community leaders, political leaders and youth leaders across Osun to caution their supporters against actions capable of triggering violence.
He stressed that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into confrontations capable of threatening the safety of residents or damaging public property.
“Persons found culpable could face arrest and prosecution. Parents, community and traditional leaders, political leaders and youth leaders should counsel their supporters against actions capable of undermining peace and security,” he said.
The Police Command also urged residents to remain calm and avoid being drawn into political disputes that are already before the courts.
Erale emphasised the importance of respecting judicial processes, saying all parties should wait for the courts to determine the legal questions surrounding the local government dispute rather than attempting to enforce their positions through physical occupation of Government facilities.
The issue of local government control has remained politically sensitive in Osun, with competing claims over the legitimacy of council administrations and the interpretation and enforcement of court decisions.
In January 2026, the Osun State Government similarly argued that local government autonomy should not be interpreted as permission for individuals to unlawfully declare themselves office holders, seize public facilities or access public funds without legal authority.
The police’s latest position reinforces the principle that even parties who believe they have a valid court judgment must follow the appropriate legal procedure for its enforcement.
The Command’s position also reflects concerns that attempts to physically take over council secretariats could quickly escalate into clashes between rival supporters, especially in areas where political tensions remain high.
Erale therefore called for restraint from all sides and urged political leaders to discourage supporters from engaging in provocative activities.
He assured the people of Osun State that the police would continue to monitor developments across the State and take appropriate steps to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The Commissioner said the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property while ensuring that residents could go about their lawful activities without fear.
The police also reiterated that maintaining peace is a collective responsibility requiring cooperation among political parties, community leaders, traditional institutions, security agencies and ordinary residents.
The warning comes at a particularly sensitive time for Osun, following the August 15 governorship election. INEC had earlier described the election as an important democratic exercise and called on stakeholders to support a peaceful process.
With the governorship election now concluded, attention could increasingly shift back to unresolved political and legal questions surrounding local government administration.
The police have consequently made it clear that such disagreements must not be settled through force.
Erale urged residents to reject rumours, inflammatory messages and calls for confrontation, while encouraging aggrieved parties to pursue their grievances through lawful institutions.
He maintained that the police would not permit any person or group to exploit political disagreements to threaten public order or take over Government facilities illegally.
The Command’s warning is expected to serve as a reminder to political stakeholders that the resolution of the local government dispute remains a matter for the courts and relevant constitutional institutions.
For now, the police have called on all sides to remain patient, respect the rule of law and avoid any action capable of reopening old wounds or triggering fresh violence across Osun State.
The Command further assured residents that security personnel would remain vigilant and respond appropriately to any development that threatens peace, public safety or the lawful functioning of Government institutions.