With less than 13 days to the conduct of August 15 gubernatorial poll in Osun, The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), in charge of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, on Sunday raised the alarm over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC), in conjunction with the Police, to arrest the Commissioner of Energy, Ademola Adeyemo and 45 other stalwarts of Accord in Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
It accused the APC of allegedly colluding with the Police to abuse state security machinery to terrorize peaceful residents, silence opposition voices, and subvert the democratic process ahead of the elections.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the Deputy Director-General of TICC, Kolapo Alimi, who is also the Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, said it is alarming that the tenets of democracy, communal peace and fundamental rights of Osun people were facing unprecedented and state-backed assault.
Alimi noted that apart from members of the ruling party, who had been arrested and moved to Abuja, “credible security report available to TICC indicated that the Commissioner of Energy and 45 other leaders of the Accord, in Ikire axis, had been listed for arrest and trump up charges before being moved them to Abuja.”
While contending that the alleged arbitrary arrest would be carried out in other local government areas in days lead to the polls, he argued that the development was aimed at perpetrating intimidation, fear and caused apprehension among the citizenry for the APC to win the forthcoming election.
“The APC and its candidates are resorting to violence and state intimidation because they know the people have rejected them. Intimidation is the final refuge of a failing political force.
“This plot to whisk key opposition leaders away to Abuja under trumped-up charges is a classic, archaic playbook designed to weaken our campaign structures, disenfranchise voters, and create an atmosphere of fear.
“We are aware that this illicit operation involves specific partisan actors working hand-in-glove with compromised personnel. Intelligence reports link individuals identified as Ola Abbas, Adeboye Opeyemi, and a notorious operative simply known as “General” to these illegal activities.
“This represents a gross abuse of office, a betrayal of public trust, and a severe breach of the code of conduct governing security officers in Nigeria. A security force that takes orders from political parties rather than the law ceases to be a protector of the people; it becomes an instrument of tyranny, “Alimi posited.
He subsequently urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to direct Osun State Police Command, SCID, and special squads from Abuja to cease the arbitrary arrest and harassment of opposition leaders, including the listed individuals marked for Abuja transfer.
Alimi, who deplored the alleged arrest without of a warrant of an Accord chieftain, Taofeek Akinyemi, recently shot by gunmen in Ikire, for posting the video of the attack and mentioning the names of alleged perpetrators, described the incident as unwarranted and an act of injustice.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Taofeek Akinyemi, or his prompt arraignment before a court of law if any valid charge exists, “he stated.
Alimi added that “eyes of the nation and the international community are on Osun State. Upholding the rule of law, maintaining professional neutrality, and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation are essential to preserving public confidence in our security institutions and safeguarding our democracy.”
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