Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has convened an emergency press conference over what he described as rising tension in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
According to the governor, there are also plans to arrest leaders of the Accord Party.
Adeleke, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the emergency briefing was necessary because of what he described as two major developments on the Osun political landscape.
The governor alleged that a police signal had arrived in the state directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders, claiming that those arrested were to be taken to Abuja and detained until after the election.
He said he had already spoken with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the alleged directive, while urging the police authorities to publicly clarify whether such an order had been issued.
“I have spoken to the Inspector General of Police about the reported directive to arrest Accord Party leaders. But I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal, and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” Adeleke said.
“Arresting Accord Party leaders on the eve of an election amounts to police helping and assisting the APC to rig the election.”
Adeleke called on the IGP to issue a statement assuring Nigerians that no directive had been given for the arrest of Accord Party leaders in Osun.
“I task the IGP to issue a statement to assure Nigerians that no order has been given to arrest Accord Party leaders in Osun State. It is illegal and a threat to democracy for Accord Party leaders to be arrested on the eve of an election on trumped up charges,” he said.
The governor further alleged that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were already being held by the police without charges, describing their detention as contrary to democratic principles.
“It is disturbing that we still have over 62 Accord Party leaders held in illegal police detention without any charges against them. This is not democracy,” Adeleke said.
The governor also raised concerns over a viral video involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, alleging that the lawmaker called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and their family members.
Adeleke said the matter had gone beyond ordinary political disagreement and should be treated as a national security issue.
“The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving senator, Francis Fadahunsi who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and their families. In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children,” he said.
“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.”
Adeleke said he had raised the matter with the Inspector General of Police and demanded the immediate investigation and arrest of Fadahunsi. According to the governor, the IGP had confirmed the existence of the video and assured him that action would be taken.
“I have raised this issue with the IGP and demanded for the immediate investigation and arrest of Senator Fadahunsi. The IGP has confirmed the video and assured of immediate action,” Adeleke said.
The governor also called for an end to what he described as the “illegal operations” of the Intelligence Response Team, alleging that the team had been arresting Accord Party leaders across different local government areas of the state.
“We request that the IGP should stop the illegal operations of IRT, a team that has been arresting Accord Party leaders across the local governments for no just reason,” Adeleke said.
He further called on the police and the Department of State Services to arrest Fadahunsi over what he described as incitement against people in Osun.
“We ask that the police and the DSS immediately arrest Senator Fadahunsi for his incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesahland and Osun state. This is to prove to the world that Nigeria is a state governed by the rule of law,” he said.
Adeleke also demanded that the police authorities uphold due process and ensure that security agencies do not interfere with the electoral process.
“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun state,” the governor said.
“We finally request that the police and other security agencies should act in line with the rule of law and their oath of office before, during and after these coming elections.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that political activities have intensified in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with candidates and their supporters making moves to win voters across the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, Adeleke had participated in a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 governorship election, where he defended his record in office and addressed criticism over his public dancing.
Adeleke, who has frequently attracted attention for his dancing at public events, said the hobby had never affected his performance as governor.
“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything, there is time to dance, and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” he said.
The governor also responded to criticism from Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had mocked him during an APC campaign rally in Osun and urged voters to reject what he called the “dancing governor.”
Adeleke said those who were unhappy with his dancing should learn how to dance.
“If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said.
“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” the governor added.
While defending his administration, Adeleke said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads across Osun State and installed solar-powered streetlights along some of the roads.
“As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights. This we did to provide security and enhance economic development,” he said.
He also said his administration had upgraded and rehabilitated more than 200 primary healthcare facilities across the state, with the facilities equipped with electricity and clean water.
“As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water,” Adeleke said.
The governor added that qualified engineers had certified the projects undertaken by his administration as meeting international standards.
Adeleke is seeking another term in office and is facing the APC candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, as well as the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, among other contenders.