Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has ordered the Commissioner of Police to immediately put a stop to what he described as illegal tax collection and document falsification by recently reinstated local government chairmen affiliated with the All Progressives Congress. The directive, released through the governor’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale, points to a growing concern over reports that the council bosses have been collecting unauthorized levies from market vendors and fabricating council documents to justify their actions.
Adeleke expressed serious alarm over these allegations, noting that such practices are not only illegal but also threaten the peace and stability of grassroots governance. The governor stressed that these actions, if left unchecked, could disrupt public order and directly challenge judicial processes, especially since the APC is currently appealing a court decision concerning the legitimacy of the disputed council positions.
He has asked the Commissioner of Police to summon the affected chairmen for questioning, particularly over the use of counterfeit documentation and their involvement in the collection of revenues that have not been sanctioned by law. A special emphasis was placed on Boripe Local Government, where multiple incidents have reportedly occurred.
In addition to the police action, Adeleke directed his Special Adviser on Security to work closely with law enforcement to ensure the enforcement of his orders. The governor condemned the hardship reportedly inflicted on residents, particularly market operators, due to the sudden and unauthorized financial demands. He questioned whether the return to office by these council bosses was motivated by a desire to serve or simply to extort the people. He demanded an immediate end to what he described as exploitation and undue suffering imposed on innocent citizens.
