Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Police Command has denied the rumour making the round that the State’s Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade Michael, had recognised Hon. Ilesanmi Omolayo as the authentic Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists by the Command’s Public Relations Officer,SP Sunday Abutu.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Ekiti State Police Command has been drawn to a fabricated and misleading publication circulating on social media, purportedly emanating from a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming that the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, has legally recognised Hon. Ilesanmi Omolayo as the authentic Chairman of the ADC in Ekiti State.
“The Command wishes to state categorically that the claim is false, baseless and misleading, and constitutes an attempt to misrepresent the position of the Commissioner of Police and, by extension, cast aspersions on the integrity and professionalism of the Ekiti State Police Command.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Command clarifies that on 25th and 26th August 2026, the two factions of the ADC, one led by Hon. Ilesanmi Omolayo and the other by Dr. Bamidele Ekunola, separately petitioned the office of the Commissioner of Police over issues bordering on the legitimacy of the party leadership and alleged illegal occupation of the party secretariat, respectively.
“In the interest of peace, fairness and natural justice, both factions were subsequently invited by the Commissioner of Police, through the State Intelligence Department (SID), for a meeting held on Monday, 31st August 2026.
“During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police listened to the submissions of both parties and advised them to maintain peace, refrain from actions capable of disrupting public order, and seek appropriate legal redress through the courts where necessary.
“Both factions expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and indicated their willingness to return to their respective state and national leadership for further consultation and amicable resolution. In furtherance of this commitment, representatives of both factions executed and signed written undertakings to maintain peace and explore appropriate avenues for resolving the dispute.
“It is therefore shocking and highly regrettable that a publication would subsequently emerge claiming that the Commissioner of Police had recognised one faction as the authentic leadership of the party.
“The Ekiti State Police Command therefore reiterates that it remains strictly apolitical, impartial, professional and neutral in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. At no time did the Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, recognise, endorse, affirm or declare any faction of the African Democratic Congress or any other political party as the authentic or legitimate faction.
“The Command will continue to treat all individuals and groups equally, without fear or favour, and will remain committed to maintaining peace, public order and the rule of law across Ekiti State.
“Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the said publication, as it is false, misleading and without any factual basis.
“The Command further advises members of the public, particularly political actors, to desist from disseminating unverified and false information capable of causing confusion, tension or unnecessary apprehension in the State”.
