Campaign group alleges political intimidation ahead of election
The Campaign Organisation of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate release of supporters allegedly arrested ahead of the state’s governorship election, accusing the Nigeria Police Force of targeting members of the Accord Party.
The campaign’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that more than 86 party members had been arrested across Osun State and detained without lawful justification.
Olajengbesi made this known to newsmen on Wednesday after visiting the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja⁶.
RELATED NEWS:
- Osun Guber 2026: Attack on PVC Center Won’t Disrupt Election – INEC
- Osun Poll: Adeleke, Oyebamiji Trade Accusations Over Alleged PVC Buying
- Adeleke Says God Chose Him to Guard Osun as Re-election Campaign Begins
- Can Governor Adeleke Win Re-election Under Accord Party?
He claimed that the arrests were politically motivated and intended to intimidate opposition supporters before the election.
“We have just come out of the IRT office. In the last two to three days, over 86 people, members of our party, have been arrested for no reason. These people were brought by road to Abuja and detained here unnecessarily.
“We have met with the leadership of the police, and they cannot provide any explanation to us. There is no petition against them. These people have committed no offence,” he said.
Campaign Alleges Unlawful Detention
Olajengbesi further claimed that 36 of the detainees had been transferred to the Keffi Correctional Centre, while another 14 were moved to the Kuje Custodial Centre without being charged with any offence.
He also alleged that the Osun State Commissioner of Police had compromised the electoral process and called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene to ensure a free and credible election.
According to him, the Secretary to the Osun State Government and several party leaders were also arrested while mobilising residents ahead of the poll.
Police Reject Allegations
The Osun State Police Command, however, denied the allegations, insisting that only six suspects were arrested.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspects were all adults and were apprehended based on credible intelligence.
“Just six persons were arrested. All adults. The youngest among them should be 40 years. Six persons were arrested, not 56,” he said.
Ojelabi also dismissed claims that police officers invaded the homes of commissioners, stating that security operatives acted on intelligence and made the arrests at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government.
Responding to calls for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, he said such a decision rests with the Inspector-General of Police.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.