The Omole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging widespread intimidation, unlawful arrests and detention of its members ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The council also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately release its members allegedly being held in detention across the country, describing their arrests as politically motivated.
Speaking during a protest at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, the council’s spokesperson and legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, appealed to the commission to intervene and ensure that law enforcement agencies uphold the rule of law throughout the election period.
Olajengbesi alleged that several supporters of Governor Adeleke had been arrested and detained in different police facilities, adding that the development was creating fear among residents ahead of the election.
He specifically called for the release of a campaign member identified as Hon. Popoola Alabama, who, according to him, has remained in detention for several weeks.
“We have come to the National Human Rights Commission to draw attention to what we consider a reckless abuse of human rights in Osun State simply because elections are approaching,” he said.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to reassure Nigerians, particularly the people of Osun State, that the police would remain neutral and provide adequate security to guarantee a credible, peaceful and transparent election.
According to him, the campaign council had earlier raised concerns over the arrest and detention of its supporters, claiming that after public outcry, 26 detained members were released following the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Osun State.
Olajengbesi further alleged that Hon. Popoola Alabama was arrested in Ilesa and transferred to Abuja, where he is currently being detained on the strength of a magistrate court order obtained without sufficient evidence.
He questioned the police’s claim that the detainee was arrested with firearms, challenging the authorities to publicly present any recovered weapons if such allegations were true.
“If there are firearms allegedly recovered from Hon. Alabama, the police should make them public. An innocent citizen should not be detained indefinitely without due process, a valid petition or credible evidence,” he said.
The campaign spokesperson appealed to the NHRC to investigate the alleged human rights violations and ensure that security agencies do not become instruments of political oppression during the election.
He also alleged that 36 people had been killed in Osun State in recent months, urging relevant authorities to investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
Olajengbesi maintained that the will of the electorate must be respected, stressing that democratic institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, have a constitutional responsibility to remain impartial and protect the rights of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report. Likewise, the National Human Rights Commission had yet to publicly comment on the petition submitted by the campaign council.
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