Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that there is a plan to arrest leaders of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s election, urging the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to ensure that security agencies remain impartial throughout the electoral process.
Addressing journalists during an emergency press briefing on Tuesday, Adeleke claimed that he had received credible information indicating that a police signal directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders had been issued, with instructions that those arrested be transferred to Abuja and detained until after the election.
According to the governor, such a move, if carried out, would undermine democratic principles and create the impression that security agencies were being used to influence the outcome of the poll.
He said he had already spoken with the IGP over the reported directive and appealed for urgent clarification.
“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. Arresting Accord Party leaders on the eve of an election amounts to police helping and assisting the APC to rig the election.”
Adeleke called on the police chief to publicly assure Nigerians that no such directive had been issued.
“I task the IGP to issue a statement to assure Nigerians that no order has been given to arrest Accord Party leaders in Osun State. It is illegal and a threat to democracy for Accord Party leaders to be arrested on the eve of an election on trumped up charges.”
The governor also alleged that more than 62 Accord Party members were being held in police custody without formal charges.
“It is disturbing that we still have over 62 Accord Party leaders held in illegal police detention without any charges against them. This is not democracy.”
Adeleke also expressed concern over a viral video allegedly involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, accusing the lawmaker of making inflammatory remarks against Accord Party members and their families.
Describing the matter as a national security issue, the governor said he had reported it to the IGP and called for an immediate investigation.
“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. I have raised this issue with the IGP and demanded for the immediate investigation and arrest of Senator Fadahunsi. The IGP has confirmed the video and assured of immediate action.”
He further urged the police to halt what he described as the activities of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alleging that its operatives had been arresting Accord Party leaders across local government areas without justification.
“We request that the IGP should stop the illegal operations of IRT, a team that has been arresting Accord Party leaders across the local governments for no just reason.”
The governor also appealed to both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and arrest the senator over the alleged remarks.
“We ask that the police and the DSS immediately arrest Senator Fadahunsi for his incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesahland and Osun State. This is to prove to the world that Nigeria is a state governed by the rule of law.”
Adeleke concluded by urging security agencies to uphold professionalism and remain committed to the rule of law before, during and after the election.
“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun State.”
“We finally request that the police and other security agencies should act in line with the rule of law and their oath of office before, during and after these coming elections.”