Rep. Salam: Police Backing APC Politicians in Illegal Osun Council Takeover

 

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Bamidele Salam, has strongly condemned the harassment, unlawful detention, and public humiliation of a local government worker in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, describing the Nigeria Police Force’s complicity as shameful and unconstitutional.

Reacting to viral videos and photographs circulating on social media, Salam, who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, accused some politicians of abusing power with police backing, thereby undermining the rule of law in local government administration in the state.

In a statement, the lawmaker urged Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate corrective action, including the withdrawal of officers from what he described as illegal duties in Osun local government secretariats.

According to Salam, “I have seen viral videos and photographs showing Mr. Taiwo Adebayo, a local government worker in Egbedore, being humiliated by politicians in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer, Mrs. Tawakalitu Ogunniyi, and her personnel.

“Our findings confirmed that Mr. Adebayo, an administrative staff of the council, was on lawful duty following directives from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for resumption after an 11-month strike. He was handling files related to the retirement of some council staff, as instructed by his superiors, and was not engaged in any illegal activity.”

Salam noted that the politician seen supervising the detention and humiliation of the worker, Mr. Issa Akinwale, had been sacked from the office of the Local Government Chairman by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, but continued to occupy the council secretariat with alleged police support.

Describing the treatment of Adebayo as despicable, condemnable, and unconstitutional, Salam demanded his immediate release and a formal apology from the police.

He also called for a halt to the illegal capture of Osun local government administration by politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that continued police involvement in partisan political matters threatens democracy, judicial authority, and citizens’ rights.

Salam urged security agencies to remain neutral and respect court judgments, recalling that both the Federal High Court, Osogbo, and the Court of Appeal, Akure, had sacked chairmen elected in October 2022 and validated new council elections held on February 22, 2025, rulings which the police have allegedly frustrated.