The Imole Campaign Council, representing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has reported that over 60 leaders and members of the Accord Party are currently detained by police. This situation arises as Adeleke seeks re-election in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15.
The campaign organization has deemed the arrests illegal and is demanding the immediate release of those detained. Bamidele Sallam, chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, stated the organization is urging the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene. He emphasized the importance of a free and fair electoral process.
Included among the detained is an Accord candidate for the House of Representatives for the Ijesa South constituency, referred to as Hon. Alaba. Sallam reiterated the campaign’s calls for the release of Accord members, citing the need for compliance with directives aimed at ensuring a non-partisan police presence during the election.
This appeal comes shortly after the campaign council submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), advocating for the release of supporters allegedly arrested without sufficient cause. Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi highlighted concerns over police intimidation faced by the governor’s supporters and called upon the NHRC for intervention.
In addition, the campaign committee has reached out to President Bola Tinubu to address the reported intimidation and unlawful detentions impacting their supporters. Tensions have notably escalated in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming election, marked by rivalries and sporadic violence.
Recently, confrontations involving the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) related to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly led to injuries among bystanders. Furthermore, a police raid at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, resulted in several arrests and the recovery of cash and electoral materials, although Igbalaye was later released.
The police have introduced a new Commissioner, Samuel Erale, to manage election security, following calls for the previous commissioner’s removal due to alleged partisanship. These developments are heightening scrutiny surrounding the government’s handling of the electoral process in what is being described as one of the most contentious elections in the southwestern region in recent years.
While 13 political parties have been cleared to participate in the election, the primary focus appears to rest on three candidates: Adeleke from the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji from the APC, and Najeem Salaam representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Each candidate’s established political networks and financial backing are expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.
