APC demands SSG’s sack over suspect’s arrest at residence

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to immediately remove the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, following the arrest of a murder suspect during a police operation at his residence.

Addressing a press conference at the Ileri-Oluwa Campaign Office in Osogbo on Thursday, the council’s head of media and publicity, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, alleged that the presence of a wanted suspect at the SSG’s residence raised serious concerns.

“If Governor Ademola Adeleke is not an enabler of criminality in the state, he should immediately sack Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, secretary to the state government, in whose residence a wanted murder suspect was arrested,” Omowaiye said.

He further alleged that the governor was mounting pressure on the police to secure the release of those arrested, particularly Abiodun Oladele Arowomole, also known as Abbey Ashipa, whom he claimed was on the police wanted list.

Omowaiye also alleged that Arowomole had been linked to the killings of more than 20 people in the state, particularly members and supporters of the APC.

According to him, any attempt to interfere with the investigation would amount to an assault on the rule of law and the integrity of the country’s criminal justice system.

The campaign council urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to cooperate fully with security agencies, abandon what it described as his desperation for a second term, and allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

It also commended the officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Osun State Command, and the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Squad for what it described as their professionalism, urging them to sustain efforts to arrest and prosecute all criminal suspects, regardless of political affiliation.