Osun election: Campaign demands release of Adeleke supporters, alleges unlawful arrests

The Imole Campaign Council has called for the immediate release of 84 supporters of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who they allege were unlawfully arrested by the Nigeria Police ahead of the August 16 governorship election. The council's spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, stated that the detainees were arrested without charges and transferred from Osun State to Abuja.

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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 to Abuja and are being detained without any explanation.

Olajengbesi identified some of those arrested as the Chief Orija of Esa-Oke and an Accord Party candidate, popularly known as “Alabama.” He claimed that over 86 members of their political family have been arrested without reason and are being detained without 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," he said.

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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.

The council further alleged that Chief Orija was arrested during a midnight raid on his residence before being transferred to Abuja. Olajengbesi claimed that 36 detainees were moved to Keffi Correctional Centre and 14 others to Kuje Correctional Centre without being arraigned in court. The Secretary to the Osun State Government was also allegedly arrested for "sensitising people about the election."

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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.

Accusing the Osun State Commissioner of Police of bias, the campaign council demanded his redeployment. "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," Olajengbesi alleged. He also claimed some police officers asked detainees if they would defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The council urged the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu to intervene to ensure a free, fair, and credible election, stating, "We want a credible election where people can freely exercise their franchise without intimidation or unlawful arrests." The allegations could not be independently verified.

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If the Commissioner of Police is allowed to oversee security during this election, then the process is already compromised. He is grossly biased and no longer hides his partisanship.