Less than two weeks to the Osun state governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign team, the Imole Campaign Council, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging human rights abuses, politically motivated arrests and misuse of police authority.

The council said it appealed to the NHRC for an investigation into these allegations, and urged the commission to take immediate action to protect the rights of citizens and political participants involved in the election.

The council also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to remain impartial before, during and after the election, while appealing to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that security agencies were not utilised as tools for political intimidation.

Speaking to newsmen after submitting their petition at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the governor’s supporters were being hounded by the police in the lead-up to the election.

Olajengbesi alleged that numerous loyalists of the governor had been arrested and held in police custody across the nation without any lawful grounds.

“This morning, we approached the National Human Rights Commission to formally highlight what we perceive as a reckless violation of human rights occurring in Osun State, simply due to the impending election.

“We seek assurance from the Inspector-General of Police to the Nigerian populace, particularly the residents of Osun state, that the governorship election on August 15 will be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner, and that the Nigeria Police Force possesses the capability to ensure security impartially,” he remarked.

Olajengbesi further alleged that in response to public outcry regarding what he termed arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters, the police authorities initially reassigned the Osun State Commissioner of Police, which resulted in the release of 26 detained campaign members.

He asserted that the officer had since been reinstated in the state following alleged pressure exerted on the Inspector-General of Police.

“We were informed that following the transfer of the Commissioner of Police, he was sent back to Osun State due to threats made against the Inspector-General of Police. If this is accurate, it raises significant concerns regarding the autonomy of the police leadership,” he asserted.

He claimed there were currently two commissioners functioning in Osun state, one responsible for election security and the other for administrative duties, a situation he characterised as perplexing and potentially damaging to public trust in the electoral process.

The campaign spokesperson further alleged that one of their members, Popoola Alaba, commonly referred to as Alabama, the Accord candidate for the Ijesa South House of Representatives, was unlawfully apprehended while campaigning in Osogbo and later transferred to Abuja.

He stated that the politician was presently being held based on a detention order issued by a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, concerning accusations of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

Olajengbesi, however, maintained that no incriminating evidence was found on the politician at the time of his arrest.