Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday urged the Peace Committee for the August 15 governorship election to press the Inspector General of Police to return dozens of people arrested over recent political violence to Osun for prosecution, saying their continued detention outside the state threatens public confidence ahead of the poll.
Addressing the peace summit in Osun, Adeleke said he attended the meeting out of respect for the peace leaders, even though he had considered staying away because of what he alleged were months of attacks, intimidation and politically driven arrests.
The peace summit was held ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. Adeleke used the gathering to focus on policing, detention and the handling of political violence, insisting that confidence in the electoral process depends on equal treatment under the law and impartial security operations.
Governor questions detention outside Osun
Adeleke opened his address by telling participants that he welcomed them “on a sad note”, alleging that his government, supporters and residents had faced attacks over the last three months.
Explaining why he attended the summit, he said, “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.”
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He alleged that violence against members of his party had continued while, in his view, the police had failed to act impartially.
The governor claimed that eight party members had been killed within three months, while more than 20 others suffered gunshot injuries. He said no prosecution or active arrest had followed those incidents.
He also alleged that the attackers were known APC thugs and that video recordings of the incidents were available online.
Adeleke further alleged that more than 60 Accord Party members were in police custody without being charged in court. He also said the Secretary to the State Government was arrested, detained overnight and had his residence searched without what he said was a court authorised warrant.
The governor also claimed that more than 60 Accord leaders, including House of Representatives candidate Hon Alaba, had been transferred to Abuja and later remanded in prisons in Abuja and Nasarawa State.
Questioning the legal basis for the transfers, he said, “Why Abuja? We have both the Federal High Court and State high courts in Osun State, where anyone can be arraigned.”
Peace appeal centres on policing and election conduct
Adeleke urged the peace committee to intervene with the Inspector General of Police over those still in custody.
He said, “On behalf of Osun State and for the sake of the rule of law, I ask the Peace Committee to prevail upon the Inspector General of Police to return everyone in police custody.
Those remanded in prisons should be returned to Osun State, and be charged to Courts in Osun State, if the police can show that they have committed any crime.”
The governor also alleged that an APC figure identified with previous attacks had recently taken control of garages and motor parks with police support.
He warned of what he termed “an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after Osun elections,” and urged the peace committee to engage President Bola Tinubu to stop what he alleged was further violence involving Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun APC and the state Police Commissioner.
Adeleke asked the police to be impartial and said other security agencies had conducted themselves professionally. He also requested what he termed a fair electoral commission and respect for the choice of voters.
While alleging sustained attacks, the governor said his supporters had not retaliated.
“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 rule of law,” he said.
He concluded by saying, “We are ready for August 15; Osun people are ready to vote,” while maintaining that the election should be conducted under impartial policing, fair electoral management and respect for the will of voters.
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