Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over an alleged police directive to arrest leaders of the Accord Party in the state ahead of the forthcoming election.
Adeleke, who spoke at an emergency press briefing on Tuesday night, said he had received what he described as credible reports that a police signal had been issued directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders and their transfer to Abuja.
According to the governor, the alleged directive stated that those arrested should not be released until Monday.
Adeleke said he had spoken with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the reported directive, but appealed to the police chief to clarify the matter publicly.
He described any such arrest order, if it existed, as illegal, arguing that detaining opposition leaders on the eve of an election could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
“Arresting Accord Party leaders on the eve of an election amounts to police helping and assisting the APC to rig the election,” the governor alleged.
He urged the IGP to issue a statement assuring Nigerians that no such order had been issued, warning that the arrest of Accord Party leaders on what he described as “trumped up charges” would constitute a threat to democracy.
The governor also alleged that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were currently being held in police detention without charges.
“This is not democracy,” Adeleke said.
The governor’s second major concern centred on a viral video allegedly involving serving Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
Adeleke alleged that Fadahunsi called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and their family members in the video, describing the development as a matter that had gone beyond partisan politics.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
Adeleke said he had raised the matter with the IGP and requested an immediate investigation into the senator’s alleged comments.
According to the governor, the IGP had confirmed the existence of the video and assured him that action would be taken.
Adeleke further called on the police to halt what he described as the “illegal operations” of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alleging that the unit had been arresting Accord Party leaders across local government areas in the state without justification.
He also urged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and arrest Fadahunsi over what he described as incitement to violence against people in Ijesaland and Osun State.
The governor said the actions of the security agencies would be an indication of whether Nigeria remained committed to the rule of law and democratic principles.
Adeleke called on the IGP to ensure due process and impartial policing, while urging security agencies to act in accordance with the law and their oaths of office before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
