Ahead of Guber Poll: Police Arrest Osun Chief, Accord Candidate, 84 Others; Campaign Alleges Intimidation

Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Nigeria, the Imole Campaign Council has accused the police of arresting 86 supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The detainees include a traditional chief and an Accord Party candidate for the State House of Assembly.

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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 State to Abuja and are being detained without any explanation.

The campaign council alleges these arrests are unlawful and politically motivated, designed to intimidate voters and compromise the election's integrity. Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the council, stated that the arrested individuals are being held without formal charges. He claimed some have been transferred to correctional facilities in Keffi and Kuje without being brought before a court.

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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. There is no charge against them, no allegation whatsoever.

Olajengbesi further accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of orchestrating indiscriminate arrests of Governor Adeleke's perceived supporters. He cited the arrest of Chief Orija from Esa-Oke in a midnight raid and the detention of an Accord Party candidate for mobilizing support as examples of these alleged partisan actions. The Osun state government has also raised concerns about the systematic invasion and attacks on homes of top officials.

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The Commissioner of Police in Osun State wakes up every morning, moves from town to town arresting people simply because they are believed to be members of our political family or supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke.