Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke signing the peace accord ahead of the governorship election
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday called on the National Peace Committee to intervene in the security situation in the state, alleging targeted attacks against members of his administration and political associates ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking at a Peace Summit held in Osun State, Adeleke said he attended the meeting out of respect for the country’s peace leaders despite what he described as months of political violence and intimidation.
“It is on a sad note that I welcome our peace leaders to Osun State. We are sad because our people, our government and my party men and women have been under siege and attacks for the past three months,” the governor said.
Explaining why he chose to participate in the summit, Adeleke stated:
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months, on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present.”
The governor alleged that his administration and supporters were facing what he termed “police sanctioned violence and intimidation.”
“Our gathering is to endorse peace but my government and people are facing police sanctioned violence and intimidation. War is being waged actively against my people by Osun APC openly supported by the Osun State Police Command,” he said.
Adeleke appealed to the Peace Committee to intervene, warning that the situation in the state was worsening.
“I urge our peace leaders to help Osun State, stop a progression towards genocide against Osun people.”
He further alleged that eight members of his political camp had been killed over the past three months, while more than 20 others sustained injuries in gun attacks.
“In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest till date. The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs with crimes committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet,” Adeleke claimed.
The governor also alleged that dozens of political associates remained in police custody without being charged to court.
“Presently, more than 60 Accord members are in police detention without being charged to court. The SSG to the State Government was arrested on trumped up charges and was detained overnight after his house was raided without any court authorized search warrant,” he said.
According to Adeleke, several political figures had been transferred outside Osun State after their arrest.
“More than 60 Accord leaders have been arrested and moved to Abuja, and remanded in Abuja prisons and Nassarawa State prisons, including an Accord candidate for House of Representatives, Hon Alaba.”
Questioning the legality of the alleged actions, the governor said:
“This is supposed to be a democracy, where the police uphold the rule of law. Under which law can a state police commissioner take instructions from Mr Gboyega Oyetola to arrest Accord Party members in Osun State and move them to Abuja and be held in prisons without any charge?
“Why Abuja? We have both the Federal High Court and State high courts in Osun State, where anyone can be arraigned.”
Adeleke urged the Peace Committee to engage the Inspector-General of Police to facilitate the return of those in custody to Osun State.
“On behalf of Osun State and for the sake of the rule of law, I ask the Peace Committee to prevail upon the Inspector General of Police to return everyone in police custody. Those remanded in prisons should be returned to Osun State, and be charged to Courts in Osun State, if the police can show that they have committed any crime.”
The governor also alleged that a political figure accused of orchestrating attacks had been assisted by security operatives to take control of motor parks in the state.
“Just a few days ago, the leader of APC thugs who was actively fingered in all the attacks was helped by the police to take over garages and motor parks across Osun.”
He further appealed to the Peace Committee to engage President Bola Tinubu on the matter.
“We seek that you interface with Mr President to stop the Marine Minister, Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun APC and the Osun Police Commissioner from unleashing further violence on Osun people.
“We seek an immediate end to police unholy alliance with APC thugs and Osun APC.”
Calling for professionalism among security agencies, Adeleke said the police should remain neutral during the election.
“We call on the police authorities to emulate other security agencies which have been very professional. Police must be impartial like other security agencies.”
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to peaceful elections while insisting that voters should be allowed to determine the outcome of the poll.
“We seek free and fair polls where peoples’ will should be supreme.
“Our people will severely resist rigging in all forms.
“So far, we have refused to retaliate. My people have not resorted to self help. This is not out of weakness but due to our firm belief in rule of law.
“We are committed to peace but we are presently having a peace of the graveyard.
“We are ready for August 15; Osun people are ready to vote.
“Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission and supremacy of voters’ will at the polls.”
The governor concluded by thanking the National Peace Committee for its intervention and efforts toward ensuring peaceful elections in Osun State.
