Police backing alleged APC sponsored violence in Osun — Adeleke cries out
…as Police confirm release of Osun SSG
By Precious Mark and Ismail Azeez
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Osun state Police command of working in collaboration with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to target members of his administration and Accord party.
Speaking on Thursday at a peace summit ahead of the upcoming August 15 governorship election, Adeleke stated that his presence at the meeting was solely out of respect for peace leaders, despite initial reservations over what he described as months of continuous attacks.
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months, on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present,” Adeleke declared.
The governor claimed that over the past three months, eight party members have been killed and more than 20 others injured in gun attacks, alleging that known APC thugs operated unchecked while security operatives looked on.
He further disclosed that over 60 members of the Accord Party and top government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, have faced arbitrary arrests, midnight raids, and detentions without proper warrants.
Singling out the transfer of detainees to prisons outside the state, Adeleke questioned the legality of moving suspects to facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa State instead of arraigning them before competent courts within Osun.
“Under which law can a state police commissioner take instructions to arrest members in Osun State and move them to Abuja and be held in prisons without any charge?” the governor queried, appealing to the peace committee to intervene and compel the Inspector General of Police to return all detainees to the state.
Adeleke directly accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, alongside the state police command, of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation to tilt the electoral playing field.
“There is an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during, and after Osun elections. Our dear peace leaders, there is an active progression towards genocide in Osun State,” he warned.
While maintaining that his administration and supporters have exercised immense restraint to avoid a breakdown of law and order, Adeleke noted, “So far, we have refused to retaliate. My people have not resorted to self-help. This is not out of weakness, but due to our firm belief in the rule of law. We are committed to peace, but we are presently having a peace of the graveyard.”
He concluded by demanding absolute neutrality from security agencies, a fair electoral umpire, and an environment where the votes of Osun citizens remain supreme during the August 15 polls.
“Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission, and supremacy of voters’ will at the polls,” he concluded.
Also reacting, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun faulted the detention of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye.
The Speaker accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of abusing his office to intimidate government officials and political actors, calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to urgently intervene in the interest of justice and democracy.
Egbedun made the allegations in a personal statement on Thursday while narrating events surrounding the invitation of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye by the police shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting held ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election.
He claimed that after members of the audience booed the police commissioner, the officer looked toward where they were seated before making several telephone calls.
According to the Speaker, the Deputy Governor and the SSG were seated together throughout the stakeholders’ meeting when the Commissioner of Police addressed participants.
“We all witnessed the unfortunate moment when Commissioner Gotan was booed while on the podium by citizens of Osun State. Immediately he returned to his seat, he looked directly towards us. At that moment, the SSG laughed.”
“The next thing I observed was Commissioner Gotan picking up his telephone and making a series of calls. From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest.”
“He informed me that he had been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) because the police allegedly recovered ₦4 million and two voter cards belonging to members of his political party who were holding a meeting within his compound. I honestly do not understand how such an allegation justified inviting, or attempting to arrest, a public official of his standing.”
“I immediately telephoned the Commissioner and told him that I am a proud son of Onikoyi, and that I neither fear nor bow to intimidation. I made it abundantly clear that I would never abandon my state or my ancestral home because of anyone.”
“Many people have advised me to leave Osun State or vacate my residence for my own safety. However, I have consistently maintained that I will not abandon Osun for anyone. If those behind these alleged plans decide to carry them out, I remain resolute in my belief that justice will ultimately prevail and that evil will never triumph over righteousness.”
“I therefore make a sincere appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene and relieve the people of Osun State of what I consider the hardship and intimidation they have endured under the leadership of Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan. The people of Osun are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who deserve policing that is professional, impartial and respectful of the rule of law,” the Speaker narrated.
Similarly, the Osun state Police command comfirmed the release of the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG) alongside other government functionaries on Thursday afternoon.
The command’s spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi confirming the release said, “I can only tell you that the SSG, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, has been released this afternoon, and the investigation is still ongoing.”