Osun Poll: Adeleke Campaign petitions NHRC, alleges rights abuses, politically motivated arrests
With less than two weeks to the August 15 Osun State governorship election, the Imole Campaign Council of Governor Ademola Adeleke has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging widespread human rights violations, politically motivated arrests and abuse of police powers ahead of the poll.
The campaign council also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the Nigeria Police Force remains neutral before, during and after the election, while urging President Bola Tinubu to prevent security agencies from being used for political intimidation.
Speaking to journalists after submitting the petition at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the police had singled out supporters of Governor Adeleke for arrest in the run-up to the election.
According to him, several members of the campaign have been arrested and detained in different parts of the country without lawful justification.
“This morning, we approached the National Human Rights Commission to formally draw attention to what we believe are reckless violations of human rights taking place in Osun State because of the forthcoming governorship election,” Olajengbesi said.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to reassure Nigerians, particularly residents of Osun State, that the August 15 governorship election would be conducted in a free, fair and credible atmosphere, with security agencies acting professionally and impartially.
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Olajengbesi further claimed that following public criticism over what he described as arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters, the Osun State Commissioner of Police was initially redeployed, leading to the release of 26 detained campaign members.
He, however, alleged that the commissioner was later returned to Osun State after pressure was reportedly mounted on the Inspector-General of Police.
According to the campaign spokesperson, reports that the commissioner was reinstated under pressure, if true, raise serious concerns about the operational independence of the police leadership.
He also alleged that there are currently two commissioners overseeing different aspects of policing in Osun State—one handling election security and another responsible for administrative duties—a situation he described as confusing and capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The council further alleged that one of its members, Popoola Alaba, popularly known as “Alabama” and identified as the Accord Party’s candidate for the Ijesa South House of Representatives, was arrested while campaigning in Osogbo before being transferred to Abuja.
According to Olajengbesi, Alaba is being detained on the strength of an ex parte detention order obtained from a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, over allegations of armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
The campaign maintained that no incriminating items were recovered from the politician at the time of his arrest.
“We visited the police facility where he is being held and were informed that nothing was found on him during the arrest. Yet, an ex parte detention order was obtained without evidence linking him to the alleged offences,” Olajengbesi alleged.
He insisted that if the politician had committed any offence, he should be arraigned before a competent court without delay rather than being held indefinitely.
The Imole Campaign Council accused the police of weaponizing the criminal justice system to intimidate political opponents, warning that such actions could undermine democratic governance.
The council urged the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the allegations and take immediate steps to safeguard the rights of citizens, political actors and voters participating in the governorship election.
It also appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that all federal institutions, particularly security agencies, remain politically neutral throughout the electoral process.
“The President must ensure that the Nigeria Police Force and other government institutions are not used as instruments of oppression. Every Nigerian deserves equal protection under the law regardless of political affiliation,” Olajengbesi said.
Responding to comments reportedly made by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, describing Osun as a “must-win” state for the ruling party, Olajengbesi said the outcome of the election should be determined solely by the will of the electorate.
He expressed confidence that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the preferred candidate of a majority of Osun voters.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the petition submitted to the NHRC.