Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has instructed the Commissioner of Police to urgently put an end to what he described as the illegal imposition of taxes by recently reinstated local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The directive, issued on Sunday, follows reports of unauthorized tax collection and alleged forgery of official council documents by the APC-affiliated chairmen, particularly in Boripe Local Council.
According to a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale, Adeleke emphasized that these actions threaten peace and order at the grassroots.
He said the commissioner should invite the implicated chairmen for questioning over their roles in the use of fake documents to collect revenue unlawfully from market operators.
“This should stop forthwith,” the statement read, quoting Adeleke’s stern warning.
“Is this the reason for illegal occupation of council secretariats? Is this all about extorting the people and imposing pain and suffering on them?” the governor asked.
He added that the activities not only violate legal provisions but also undermine the judicial process, especially given that the APC has an active appeal regarding the removal of its chairmen.
“This development is capable of jeopardising the sustenance of law and order at the grassroots level,” the statement noted.
Governor Adeleke also directed his Special Adviser on Security to coordinate with the police chief to enforce the new order.
He expressed dismay at what he called “the brazen imposition of hardship and pains on the people through illegal revenue and tax collections.”
