Osun poll: TICC raises concerns over arrest of commissioner, Accord leaders

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Imole Campaign Council has raised concerns over the arrest of the Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, and 62 other Accord Party members, alleging that the development is part of a pattern of arrests and intimidation of the party’s leaders ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Saturday, the council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that Adejoorin’s arrest was carried out in a manner that amounted to “a bandit-like abduction carried out under the cover of police authority”.

Olajengbesi said the council was concerned that the arrests could be linked to an alleged attempt to weaken the Accord Party’s structures ahead of the election, particularly in Ijesaland.

“The APC is desperate in Ijesaland. And rather than face the people in a free, fair and competitive election, there is a growing concern that these rejected political actors may be seeking to weaken the Accord Party’s structures by removing its leaders from the field,” he said.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to urgently intervene and rein in the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, while also investigating what he described as a pattern of arrests involving Accord leaders, particularly in Ijesaland.

Olajengbesi stressed that the police should remain neutral and protect all citizens regardless of their political affiliation.

“The Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people. It does not belong to the APC. It does not belong to Accord. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any candidate or political godfather. Its duty is to protect the law and guarantee the safety of every citizen, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

However, when contacted, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed Adejoorin’s arrest, saying the commissioner was apprehended in connection with a shooting incident in Ilesa. He added that Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.