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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo and Okwe Obi, Abuja
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has openly expressed a lack of trust in the police force ahead of the upcoming August 15 governorship election.
Speaking to journalists during a special town hall interactive session with state workers, organised by the Osun Joint Labour Movement, yesterday, Governor Adeleke stated that he feels no pressure because he has divine backing.
He also promised swift approval and implementation of the proposed minimum wage once terms are finalized with workers.
“I’m not under pressure because I have God on my side. I have God on the side of the people of Osun. I’m very prepared,” Adeleke said.
Addressing the electorate, the governor urged residents not to be intimidated despite alleged actions by the opposition.
“What I’m going to tell them is that they should not be afraid. This is a democracy, and Nigeria has chosen to practice democracy. They should not be afraid, despite all the intimidation that the Osun APC, through Oyetola, has allegedly been carrying out, including the killing of people and other acts.
“I’m telling them and showing them that democracy and the will of God shall prevail. They should come out on August 15 and vote. That is their civic duty. When they finish voting, they should not be afraid. They should stay with their votes and protect them.
“After signing the peace accord, the Peace Committee promised me they would engage with them. However, as I speak, I don’t trust the police right now. The Peace Committee has promised to work on it, and I pray that, by the special grace of God, He will touch their hearts to do the right thing.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Christopher Arapasopo, stated that the massive turnout at the program reflects Governor Adeleke’s good governance, asserting that the August 15 election is a contest between the opposition and the masses.
“No one is born to suffer. Since this administration has treated workers well, we have no choice but to reciprocate through our votes.
“You can see thousands of workers and pensioners here today. We will deliver, and we mean it. We are multipliers.” Arapasopo strongly cautioned against any form of electoral malpractice or manipulation, drawing a firm line for the upcoming polls.
“The opposition knows that workers and pensioners are multipliers. This time around, we will not accept an inconclusive election. Organised labour has said repeatedly that we will not accept any inconclusive election or the cancellation of votes in any polling unit.
This struggle is between the opposition and the masses of Osun State.
“It is unfortunate to see the conduct of the police, who are expected to protect the lives and property of the people of Osun State. You can all see what is happening in Osun. As organiaed labour in Osun State, they will hear from us,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council of Governor Ademola Adeleke has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging widespread human rights violations, politically motivated arrests and abuse of police powers.
While calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure neutrality before, during and after the poll, the campaign council urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that security agencies are not deployed as instruments of political intimidation.
Addressing journalists shortly after submitting the petition to the NHRC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused the police of targeting members and supporters of the governor ahead of the election.
According to him, several supporters of the campaign had been arrested and detained in police facilities across the country without lawful justification.
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“This morning we came to the National Human Rights Commission to formally bring to its attention what we consider the reckless abuse of human rights currently taking place in Osun State simply because an election is around the corner.
“We want the Inspector-General of Police to assure Nigerians, especially the people of Osun State, that the August 15 governorship election will be free, fair and credible, and that the Nigeria Police Force still has the capacity to provide security without bias.”
Olajengbesi alleged that following public outrage over what he described as arbitrary arrests of opposition supporters, the police authorities initially redeployed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, leading to the release of 26 detained members of the campaign.
He claimed that the officer had since been returned to the state after alleged pressure was mounted on the Inspector-General of Police.
“We were informed that after the Commissioner of Police was transferred, he was returned to Osun State following threats against the Inspector-General of Police. If that is true, it raises serious concerns about the independence of the police hierarchy.”
He claimed that the police now have two commissioners operating in Osun State, one overseeing election security and another providing administrative support, a development he described as confusing and capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
The campaign spokesperson also alleged that one of its members, Popoola Alaba popularly known as Alabama, the Ijesa South House of Representative Accord candidate, was unlawfully arrested while campaigning in Osogbo and subsequently transferred to Abuja.
According to him, the politician is currently being detained on the strength of a detention order obtained from a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, over allegations of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Olajengbesi, however, insisted that no incriminating item was recovered from the politician at the time of his arrest.
“We visited the police facility where he is being detained and were informed that nothing was found on him at the point of arrest. Yet an ex parte detention order was obtained from a magistrate court without presenting any evidence linking him to the offences alleged.
“If he has committed any offence, the police should charge him before a competent court immediately. They cannot continue to detain an innocent citizen indefinitely under questionable circumstances.”
He accused the police of weaponising the criminal justice system to intimidate political opponents, describing the development as a dangerous precedent capable of undermining democracy.
While appealing to the NHRC to investigate the allegations, the campaign urged the commission to intervene urgently to safeguard the rights of citizens and political actors participating in the election.
Olajengbesi also called on President Tinubu to ensure that federal institutions remain impartial throughout the electoral process.
“The President must not allow the Nigeria Police Force or any government institution to become an instrument of oppression. Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, deserves protection under the law.
“What happens in Osun on August 15 will be a test of Nigeria’s democracy. The security agencies must inspire confidence, not fear,” he said.
Responding to questions on recent remarks by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda that Osun was a “must-win” state for the party, Olajengbesi maintained that the outcome of the election should be determined solely by the electorate.
“The people of Osun will decide who governs them through their votes. Democracy is about the will of the people, not political declarations. We are confident that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the choice of the majority of Osun people,” he said.
