Osun 2026: Adeleke campaign alleges Police bias, demands release of aides

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Osun State Police Command of acting in a partisan manner ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and other party members was politically motivated and aimed at weakening the governor’s political structure before the election.
According to the campaign team, the police had abandoned their constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order and were instead interfering in the state’s political process.
The council rejected allegations linking the detained officials to criminal activities, describing the operation as an abuse of power and accusing the police of attempting to justify what it called an unlawful raid.
TICC also dismissed references to a police watch list involving Igbalaye, arguing that such documents are internal security records and do not amount to a declaration that an individual is wanted.
The campaign organisation further disputed the police’s interpretation of the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that the provisions cited on vote buying apply only on election day and not weeks before the poll.
It also defended the reported recovery of N4.8 million during the operation, stating that the money was intended for logistics and transportation of party mobilisers and that possessing such an amount was not a criminal offence.
The council added that possession of the voters’ register could not constitute an electoral offence since the register is publicly available to all registered political parties.
TICC further alleged that suspected supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were responsible for recent thefts of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in parts of Osun State, claiming the police had failed to take action against those involved despite being aware of the incidents.
The campaign council called on the police to immediately release Igbalaye and the other detained individuals, maintaining that democracy should be driven by the free choice of voters rather than intimidation or abuse of security agencies.