By Lateef Ibrahim
A fresh war of words has erupted between the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke over allegations that wanted criminals are being harboured within the Government House in Osogbo.
The APC dismissed the governor’s response to the claims as inadequate, insisting that his administration had failed to properly address concerns raised after remarks by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a visit to the Government House on Friday.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, the opposition party argued that the governor’s denial did not sufficiently answer the allegation.
The party further claimed that video footage and photographs circulating online linked some individuals on the police watch list to activities at the Government House and alleged that certain wanted persons had been appointed into political positions.
However, the Imole Campaign Council described the APC’s allegations as false and politically motivated.
Its Director of Strategic Communication, Jamiu Olawumi, maintained that security personnel attached to the Government House would have detected and reported any criminal activity if such claims were true. He argued that accusing the Government House of harbouring criminals also cast doubt on the professionalism of police officers assigned to secure the premises.
Olawumi further accused the APC of attempting to tarnish the reputation of both Governor Adeleke and the Nigeria Police Force, while calling on security agencies to question APC leaders ove the allegations.
The controversy followed comments by the Inspector-General of Police, who disclosed that intelligence available to the police suggested that wanted criminals were being sheltered within the Government House.
Governor Adeleke has since directed security agencies to apprehend anyone found engaging in criminal activities in the state, stressing that no individual should be spared, regardless of personal or political affiliations.
