Tension has escalated ahead of the Osun State governorship election after the police arrested the state’s Secretary to the Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and five other suspects during a raid in Osogbo.
According to Punch, the Osun State Police Command said officers recovered N4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering wards 1 to 15, a laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer from Igbalaiye’s residence. Police said the operation followed intelligence reports that criminal suspects were hiding at the location.
The command added that one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Police said the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote buying under the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the funds and other recovered items.
However, the Osun State Government rejected the allegations, accusing the police of carrying out politically motivated raids against officials of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi alleged that security operatives invaded the SSG’s residence without a search warrant while ward officials were holding a meeting. He also claimed similar raids had targeted the homes of several commissioners and other government officials.
The state government described the operations as an attack on democracy and alleged that the police were acting in support of the opposition APC. It called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu to intervene before the situation worsens.
Also reacting, the Adeleke campaign organisation demanded the immediate release of supporters allegedly arrested across the state. Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi claimed that more than 86 party members had been detained without lawful justification and alleged that some had been transferred to correctional facilities despite not being charged.
Olajengbesi also accused the Osun Commissioner of Police of compromising the integrity of the forthcoming election and urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a free and credible poll.
The police dismissed the claims, insisting that only six adult suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi denied allegations that commissioners’ homes were invaded and maintained that those arrested were apprehended at the SSG’s residence.
The arrests come as political tension continues to rise ahead of the Osun governorship election, with both the police and the state government trading accusations over the operation.
