The Imole Campaign Council has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State Police Command of orchestrating the arrest and detention of more than 86 members of the Accord Party across the state ahead of the governorship election.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that those arrested included party stakeholders, ward coordinators, polling unit agents and volunteers who were carrying out voter sensitisation campaigns and distributing the party’s manifesto.
According to the council, the affected members were arrested without warrants, while some were allegedly assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment during the operation.
The campaign council described the arrests as a deliberate attempt to weaken its grassroots campaign structure and prevent its members from engaging voters before the election. It, however, insisted that the alleged crackdown would not deter supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke from campaigning for his re-election.
The council further alleged that the APC’s actions reflected fear of electoral defeat, arguing that a party confident of victory would not resort to intimidation of political opponents.
It called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, to uphold the constitutional rights of citizens, including freedom of association, movement and political participation.
The Imole Campaign Council also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, international election observers and civil society organisations to monitor the situation and ensure the protection of citizens participating in the democratic process.
While urging its supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, the council maintained that no amount of intimidation or alleged unlawful arrests would stop voters from supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke in the forthcoming election.
The Nigeria Police Force and the Osun APC had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
About The Author
