The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s response to allegations that wanted criminals are being sheltered inside the Government House, saying his explanation failed to address the issue directly. The party made its position known on Saturday, a day after the allegation surfaced during a visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to the Government House in Osogbo.
The APC maintained that individuals wanted by security agencies were still receiving protection within the Government House to prevent their arrest. In a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, the opposition accused the governor of relying on denial instead of addressing the allegations.
According to the party, there are videos allegedly showing a wanted suspect entering parts of the Government House with members of his group. It also claimed that photographs exist showing the governor alongside political thugs at public events and argued that some of the individuals had previously been appointed into political positions by the state government.
The APC further said the governor’s reaction did not match the seriousness of the allegation. It insisted that some of the people linked to the claims had long been known to security agencies and questioned why the governor continued to distance himself from them.
Responding on behalf of the governor, the Director of Strategic Communication of the Imole Campaign Council, Jamiu Olawumi, dismissed the APC’s claims. He argued that the accusations lacked evidence and unfairly portrayed the Nigeria Police Force as incapable of carrying out its duties.
Olawumi said police officers are permanently stationed at the Government House to provide security and report directly to their superiors. He argued that if criminals were truly being hidden there, officers assigned to the premises would have detected and reported the situation.
He also accused the APC of projecting the practices of its previous administration onto the current government. According to him, Governor Adeleke has repeatedly insisted that anyone found guilty of criminal activities should face the law, regardless of personal or political ties.
Olawumi called on the police to invite APC leaders behind the allegations for questioning so investigators could establish the facts. He also criticised the opposition for making what he described as baseless accusations instead of allowing law enforcement agencies to carry out their responsibilities.
The exchange followed comments made by the Inspector-General of Police during his visit to the Government House, where he disclosed that security reports indicated some wanted suspects were being sheltered there.
In response, Governor Adeleke reportedly directed security agencies to pursue every suspected criminal in the state, stating that no one, including members of his own family, should be protected from investigation or arrest if found culpable.