The spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, has expressed concern over the arrest and detention of several individuals said to be members of the Accord ahead of the forthcoming Osun State election, calling on the Nigeria Police Force to provide clarification on the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the office of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, Olajengbesi claimed that more than 80 persons linked to the Accord Party had been arrested in recent days and transported from Osun State to the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, members of the campaign council met with police officials but were unable to obtain detailed information regarding the basis for the arrests.
“We are asking the police to explain why these people were arrested and why they have been taken to Abuja. We believe they deserve due process and clarity on their status,” he said.
Olajengbesi further alleged that some of the detainees had been transferred to correctional facilities in Keffi and Kuje, describing the situation as troubling, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the election.
He also claimed that another senior official in the Osun State Government had been arrested, although the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest could not be independently verified.
The campaign spokesperson urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that security agencies remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, stressing the importance of maintaining public confidence in the conduct of the election.
“We want a peaceful, free and credible election where every eligible voter can exercise his or her constitutional right without fear or intimidation,” Olajengbesi stated.
He appealed to the police hierarchy to investigate the reported arrests and ensure that policing during the election is carried out in accordance with the law and without political bias.
The campaign council also called on relevant authorities to safeguard democratic institutions and protect the rights of citizens as Osun prepares for the governorship election.
The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report, and the claims made by the campaign council remain unverified.
