Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has fired a major warning ahead of the August 15 governorship election, declaring that he does not trust the police to conduct themselves impartially during the crucial poll.
Adeleke made the explosive statement while addressing workers and pensioners at a special town hall interactive session organised by the Osun Joint Labour Movement.
With the election drawing closer, the governor urged voters to ignore intimidation, come out to vote and—most importantly—stay behind their ballots and protect their votes.
“I’m not under pressure because I have God on my side. I have God on the side of the people of Osun. I’m very prepared,” Adeleke declared.
But he quickly turned his attention to the security situation, expressing serious doubts about the neutrality of the police.
“After signing the peace accord, the Peace Committee promised me they would engage with them. However, as I speak, I don’t trust the police right now,” he said.
Adeleke appealed to the Peace Committee to intervene, adding that he hoped the police would “do the right thing.”
‘COME OUT AND VOTE!’
The governor also issued a direct message to Osun voters, urging them not to surrender to fear.
“What I’m going to tell them is that they should not be afraid. This is a democracy, and Nigeria has chosen to practise democracy,” he said.
Adeleke alleged that the opposition APC, through former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, had engaged in intimidation and other alleged acts, including claims of killings.
He urged voters to resist intimidation and perform their civic duty on August 15.
“They should come out on August 15 and vote. That is their civic duty. When they finish voting, they should not be afraid. They should stay with their votes and protect them.”
LABOUR THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND ADELEKE
The governor also received a major show of support from organised labour, with the NLC declaring that workers and pensioners would determine the outcome of the election.
NLC Chairman in Osun, Christopher Arapasopo, said the massive crowd at the event demonstrated the level of support for the Adeleke administration.
“No one is born to suffer. Since this administration has treated workers well, we have no choice but to reciprocate through our votes,” Arapasopo said.
“You can see thousands of workers and pensioners here today. We will deliver, and we mean it. We are multipliers.”
The labour leader then issued a blunt warning to politicians and electoral officials.
He said organised labour would not accept an inconclusive election, cancellation of votes or any attempt to manipulate the outcome.
“This time around, we will not accept an inconclusive election. Organised labour has said repeatedly that we will not accept any inconclusive election or the cancellation of votes in any polling unit.”
He described the election as a battle between the opposition and the people of Osun.
‘POLICE CONDUCT WORRIES US’
Arapasopo also joined Adeleke in criticising the conduct of the police in the state.
“It is unfortunate to see the conduct of the police, who are expected to protect the lives and property of the people of Osun State,” he said.
“As organised labour in Osun State, they will hear from us.”
ADELEKE CAMP TAKES POLICE TO NHRC
The battle over the police did not end at the town hall.
The Imole Campaign Council has dragged the matter before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), accusing the police of politically motivated arrests, human rights violations and abuse of power ahead of the election.
The campaign council petitioned the NHRC in Abuja and called on Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to guarantee neutrality before, during and after the election.
It also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that security agencies are not turned into weapons of political intimidation.
Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi alleged that several Adeleke supporters had been arrested and detained at police facilities across the country without lawful justification.
“This morning we came to the National Human Rights Commission to formally bring to its attention what we consider the reckless abuse of human rights currently taking place in Osun State simply because an election is around the corner,” he said.
26 SUPPORTERS RELEASED — CAMPAIGN CLAIMS
Olajengbesi alleged that public outrage over the arrests led to the release of 26 detained campaign members.
He also claimed that the Osun Commissioner of Police was initially redeployed but later returned to the state following alleged pressure on the Inspector-General.
“If that is true, it raises serious concerns about the independence of the police hierarchy,” he said.
The campaign spokesman further alleged that two commissioners of police are currently operating in Osun, one reportedly overseeing election security and another handling administrative duties.
He described the situation as confusing and capable of damaging public confidence in the election.
‘POLITICIAN ARRESTED, MOVED TO ABUJA’
Olajengbesi also raised the case of Popoola Alaba, popularly known as Alabama, the Accord candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency.
He alleged that Alaba was arrested while campaigning in Osogbo and later transferred to Abuja.
According to the campaign, Alaba is being held under a detention order obtained from a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, over allegations of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
But Olajengbesi insisted that nothing incriminating was recovered from him at the time of arrest.
“If he has committed any offence, the police should charge him before a competent court immediately. They cannot continue to detain an innocent citizen indefinitely under questionable circumstances,” he said.
He accused the police of allegedly weaponising the criminal justice system against political opponents and called on the NHRC to investigate.
‘A TEST FOR NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY’
The campaign council warned that the events surrounding the August 15 election would have implications beyond Osun State.
Olajengbesi urged President Tinubu to ensure that government institutions remain neutral.
“The President must not allow the Nigeria Police Force or any government institution to become an instrument of oppression. Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, deserves protection under the law.
“What happens in Osun on August 15 will be a test of Nigeria’s democracy. The security agencies must inspire confidence, not fear.”
Reacting to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda’s declaration that Osun was a “must-win” state for the party, Olajengbesi said no political party could determine the outcome before voters had spoken.
“The people of Osun will decide who governs them through their votes. Democracy is about the will of the people, not political declarations,” he said.
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