...seeks IGP’s Neutrality

Barely two weeks before the August 15 Osun State governorship election, the Imole Campaign Council of Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging widespread human rights violations, politically motivated arrests and abuse of police powers by security agencies.

The campaign also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to guarantee neutrality before, during and after the election, while urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure security agencies are not deployed as instruments of political intimidation.

Addressing journalists after submitting the petition at the NHRC headquarters on Monday in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused the police of targeting members and supporters of Governor Adeleke ahead of the governorship poll.

According to him, several supporters of the campaign had been arrested and detained in police facilities across the country without lawful justification.

He said: “This morning we came to the NHRC 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.

“We want the Inspector-General of Police to assure Nigerians, especially the people of Osun State, that the August 15 governorship election will be free, fair and credible, and that the Nigeria Police Force still has the capacity to provide security without bias.”

Olajengbesi alleged that following public outrage over what he described as arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters, the police authorities initially redeployed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, leading to the release of 26 detained members of the campaign.

He, however, claimed that the commissioner was later returned to the state after alleged pressure was mounted on the Inspector-General of Police.

“We were informed that after the Commissioner of Police was transferred, he was returned to Osun State following threats against the Inspector-General of Police. If that is true, it raises serious concerns about the independence of the police hierarchy,” he alleged.

The campaign spokesperson further claimed that two commissioners of police are currently operating in Osun State, one overseeing election security and another handling administrative duties, a situation he said could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Olajengbesi also alleged that one of the campaign’s members, Popoola Alaba, popularly known as Alabama, the Ijesa South House of Representatives Accord candidate, was unlawfully arrested while campaigning in Osogbo before being transferred to Abuja.

According to him, the politician was being detained on the strength of a detention order obtained from a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, over allegations of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

He insisted, however, that no incriminating item was recovered from the politician at the time of his arrest.

“We visited the police facility where he is being detained and were informed that nothing was found on him at the point of arrest. Yet an ex parte detention order was obtained from a magistrate’s court without presenting any evidence linking him to the offences alleged.

“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.”

Olajengbesi accused the police of weaponising the criminal justice system to intimidate political opponents, describing the development as a dangerous precedent capable of undermining democracy.

He appealed to the NHRC to investigate the allegations and intervene urgently to safeguard the rights of citizens and political actors participating in the election.

The campaign spokesperson also urged President Tinubu to ensure federal institutions remain impartial throughout the electoral process.

“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.”

Responding to questions on recent remarks by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, that Osun was a “must-win” state for the ruling party, Olajengbesi insisted that the outcome of the election should be determined solely by the electorate.

“The people of Osun will decide who governs them through their votes. Democracy is about the will of the people, not political declarations.

“We are confident that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the choice of the majority of Osun people,” he added.

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