Tension escalated ahead of the Osun State governorship election after police arrested the state’s Secretary to the Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and five others during a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
The Osun State Police Command said officers recovered ₦4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a laptop, a photocopier and a printer during the operation, adding that the items were being investigated for possible electoral offences.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was on the command’s watchlist, while the suspects were being investigated for alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect.
The command stressed that no individual, regardless of political status, is above the law and said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted after investigations.
The Osun State Government rejected the allegations, accusing the police of invading the SSG’s residence without a search warrant and carrying out politically motivated arrests.
Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi claimed the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and formed part of a wider campaign targeting top government officials and members of the Accord Party.
He alleged that the homes of several commissioners had also been raided or placed under surveillance, describing the police actions as an assault on democracy and an attempt to intimidate the opposition ahead of the election.
The Adeleke campaign organisation also demanded the immediate release of its supporters, alleging that more than 86 party members had been arrested across the state and transferred to detention facilities in Abuja without lawful justification.
Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi accused the Osun Commissioner of Police of compromising the integrity of the election and called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a free and fair poll.
The police dismissed the campaign’s claims, insisting that only six adult suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence and denying allegations that security operatives raided the residences of commissioners.
The command also rejected calls for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, stating that such decisions rest solely with the Inspector-General of Police.
