- Campaign council alleges planned arrests
- Police deny targeting politicians
- Both sides trade claims ahead of election
The Imole Campaign Council, which is backing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, has alleged that the state police command is preparing to arrest 46 individuals before the August 15 governorship election.
The council made the claim during a press briefing in Osogbo, Eko Hot Blog gathered alleging that those on the purported list included a serving commissioner and several political figures, mainly from Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area.
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The council’s Deputy Director-General, Kolapo Alimi, who is also the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, identified Commissioner for Energy, Ademola Adeyemo, as one of those allegedly targeted.
Alimi further alleged that Accord Party chieftain Taofeek Akinyemi was detained after reporting an attack in which he was allegedly shot by suspected hoodlums.
He accused some security personnel of working with political opponents to weaken the opposition party’s structure and disrupt its activities ahead of the election.
According to Alimi, intelligence received by the campaign council indicated that political opponents and some compromised security officials had compiled names of individuals for unlawful arrests and harassment.
He claimed the targeted persons risked being transferred to Abuja to prevent them from participating in election activities.
The council urged the police authorities to release Akinyemi immediately or charge him before a court if there were allegations against him.
It also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene and ensure that security operations in Osun were conducted fairly and without political interference.
The campaign council further appealed for the deployment of only neutral and professional security personnel during the election.
Police Deny Alleged Arrest List
The Osun State Police Command dismissed the allegations, insisting that it had no list of politicians or individuals marked for arrest.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, explained that ongoing operations were focused on criminal hideouts and black spots across the state as part of preparations for a peaceful election.
He said police raids were based on intelligence and criminal records, not political considerations.
Ojelabi stated that the command was working to create a safe environment for residents and had no intention of targeting any political party or group.
He added that a proposed joint security task force involving other agencies would help prevent misconceptions about police operations ahead of the election.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with political parties intensifying campaigns and security preparations ahead of the poll.
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