The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that more than 60 leaders and members of the Accord Party are currently in police detention ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The council described the arrests as illegal and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order the immediate and unconditional release of the detained supporters.
The campaign organisation also alleged that an Accord candidate for the Ijesa South Federal Constituency, identified as Hon. Alaba, was among those detained.
The council had previously petitioned the National Human Rights Commission over the alleged arrest and detention of Adeleke’s supporters, accusing the Osun State Police Command of intimidating members of the party ahead of the election.
The allegations come amid heightened political tension in Osun, following clashes between rival groups and the arrest of the state Secretary to the Government, Teslim Igbalaye, over alleged vote-buying. Igbalaye was later released.
With Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam emerging as the leading contenders, the August 15 governorship election is expected to be a closely contested race.
