Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused security authorities of targeting members of the Accord Party through what he described as politically motivated arrests, alleging that more than 60 party members were transferred to correctional facilities outside the state despite the availability of courts in Osun.
The governor made the allegations on Thursday while addressing stakeholders at a peace summit in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement shared via his official đť•Ź account, Adeleke claimed that his administration and supporters had been subjected to sustained intimidation and violence over the past three months, accusing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, of masterminding the alleged attacks.
According to Adeleke, the atmosphere leading up to the election has been marred by what he described as police-backed harassment of political opponents.
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola,” the governor said.
“Our gathering is to endorse peace, but my government and supporters are facing police-sanctioned violence and intimidation.”
Adeleke further alleged that over 60 leaders and members of the Accord Party were arrested and subsequently transferred to correctional centres in Abuja and Nasarawa State, a move he described as unnecessary and unjustifiable.
Among those allegedly detained, the governor identified Hon. Alaba, an Accord Party House of Representatives candidate.
He questioned why suspects linked to alleged offences committed in Osun were not arraigned before courts within the state.
“More than 60 Accord leaders have been arrested and moved to Abuja, where they have been remanded in correctional facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa, including Hon. Alaba.
“Why Abuja? Osun has both Federal High Courts and State High Courts where anyone accused of committing an offence can be prosecuted.”
The governor appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that those in custody are returned to Osun and prosecuted locally if there is sufficient evidence against them.
Governor Condemns Arrest of SSG
Adeleke also criticised the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, describing the operation as politically motivated.
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According to the governor, security operatives allegedly stormed the SSG’s residence without presenting a valid court-authorised search warrant.
He maintained that the allegations against Igbalaye were fabricated and intended to intimidate his administration ahead of the governorship election.
The governor further claimed that political violence had claimed the lives of at least eight members of his party, while over 20 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
He alleged that despite knowing those responsible for the attacks, no meaningful arrests or prosecutions had been carried out.
“There is no single prosecution or active arrest to date. The perpetrators are known APC thugs who allegedly committed these crimes in the presence of police officers,” Adeleke alleged.
The governor called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by cautioning former Governor Oyetola and the Osun State Commissioner of Police against actions capable of heightening political tensions ahead of the election.
He urged political leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders to work together to guarantee a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship poll.
The allegations come days after the Osun State Police Command announced the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye and five others during a raid on a residence reportedly linked to the SSG.
Police said officers recovered N4.8 million in cash, a voter register, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a laptop, a photocopy machine, and a printer during the operation.
According to the command, the suspects are being investigated over alleged vote-buying and other suspected electoral offences, while investigations remain ongoing.