Tunde Adeleke, Osogbo and Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun state, fresh tension mounted on Tuesday as
Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the police have received a directive to arrest prominent leaders of the Accord Party in the state and detain them in Abuja until after the poll.
Adeleke made the allegation during an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, four days before the Saturday election, describing the reported directive as illegal and a threat to the democratic process.
He also called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu to arrest and prosecute the Senator representing Osun Central, Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video in which he asked APC members to kill Accord Party members
Daily Champion sighted a viral video in which the lawmaker was heard allegedly calling for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their family members ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Reacting however, Fadahunsi, refuted the narratives, stressing that the remark was a political metaphor urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
He added that, “What I have told my people is that between now and the day of elections, my people should come out en masse and kill with votes.”
“I told them this shows that they are weak and cannot win. They should shut them down by their votes; they should kill them by their votes.”
Adeleke said he had contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over the alleged directive and urged him to publicly clarify whether such an order had been issued.
“I have spoken to the Inspector General of Police about the reported directive to arrest Accord Party leaders. But I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” he said.
The governor alleged that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were already being held in police custody without charges, while also calling for an end to what he described as the “illegal operations” of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), which he accused of arresting party leaders across local government areas without justification.
He also alleged that the reported arrests were intended to undermine the election, saying that detaining Accord Party leaders shortly before the poll could facilitate manipulation of the electoral process.
He further raised concerns over a viral video purportedly involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, alleging that the lawmaker called for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their family members in the Ijesa axis.
According to Adeleke, the alleged remarks had gone beyond partisan politics and constituted a security concern requiring the intervention of the Federal Government.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
The governor said he had reported the video to the Inspector-General of Police and demanded an investigation into Fadahunsi.
He also called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to take appropriate action if the allegations against the senator were established.
Adeleke urged the police and other security agencies to operate within the law and protect the rights of all political actors before, during and after the election.
He called for due process and fair policing, while urging security agencies to ensure that voters and political participants are not subjected to intimidation or harassment during the poll.
“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun State,” Adeleke said.
Meanwhile, music star David Adeleke (Davido) has called President Donald Trump of the United States to closely monitor the August 15 Osun election.
In a post on his verified X handle Tuesday, he wrote: “President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election.
“There are growing concerns about tensi and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process. Osun people deserve to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely, peacefully, and without fear.
“I appeal to the United States and the international community to pay close attention to the election and encourage all relevant authorities to ensure that every voter is protected and every vote is respected.
“We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election”.
Meanwhile, in a decisive move to safeguard the integrity of the Osun governorship poll, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has deployed a high-powered monitoring delegation to observe the conduct of Police personnel on election duty across the state.
The delegation according to a release issued by the Head Press and Public Relations Mr Torty Njoku Kalu is led by DIG (Dr) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), Board Member and Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, and they will ensure that officers deployed for the election strictly adhere to the guiding principles governing election duties and uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism before, during, and after the polls.
“The Commission is committed to deepening public confidence in the electoral process by guaranteeing that Police conduct remains impartial, rule-based, and civil at all times.
“The Commission urges all Police officers assigned to Osun State for the election to display exemplary conduct, remain apolitical, and protect the rights of all citizens to vote freely and peacefully.
“The Police Service Commission reassures Nigerians that it will not hesitate to sanction any officer found compromising the credibility of the election”.
