Key Takeaways
- The Imole Campaign Council has called for the release of 85 supporters of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
- The supporters were allegedly arrested by the Nigeria Police without charges ahead of the August 16 governorship election.
- The council accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of bias and called for his redeployment ahead of the election.
The Imole Campaign Council has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of a traditional chief and 84 other supporters of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who it alleged were arrested by the Nigeria Police ahead of the August 16 governorship election. The council made the demand on Wednesday after visiting the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office in Abuja.
Addressing journalists, spokesperson of the council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the detainees were arrested without charges and transferred from Osun State to Abuja. He identified some of those arrested as Chief Orija of Esa-Oke and an Accord Party candidate for Ilesa State Constituency, popularly known as “Alabama”.
Allegations of Bias and Intimidation
Olajengbesi said: “In the last two or three days, over 86 members of our political family have been arrested for no reason. They were brought by road from Osun to Abuja and are being detained without any explanation. We have met with the leadership of the police, but they cannot provide any reason for these arrests. There is no petition against these people. They have committed no offence.”
The lawyer further claimed that 36 of the detainees had been moved to Keffi Correctional Centre, while 14 others were taken to Kuje Correctional Centre, without being arraigned before a court. He also alleged that the Secretary to the Osun State Government was arrested for sensitising people about the election.
The council accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of bias and called for his redeployment ahead of the election. Olajengbesi alleged that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State wakes up every morning, moving from town to town arresting people simply because they are believed to be supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He further claimed that some police officers asked detainees whether they were willing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the allegation as unacceptable. The campaign council urged the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu to intervene to ensure a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
Political tension has continued to rise in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with political parties trading accusations over alleged intimidation and misuse of security agencies. The council wants a credible election where people can freely exercise their franchise without intimidation or unlawful arrests.
Why This Matters
The allegations of bias and intimidation by the police and the Commissioner of Police in Osun State are a concern for the integrity of the electoral process. The intervention of the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu is crucial to ensure a free, fair and credible election in Osun State. The outcome of this election will have significant implications for the people of Osun State and the future of Nigerian democracy.