Osun: Accord Party Candidates Allege ‘Police Intimidation’ Ahead Of Governorship Election, Demand Immediate Release Of Detained Ijesha South Reps Candidate, Law Student

 Senate, reps and House of Assembly candidates of Accord Party in Osun State have accused the police of working in favour of the APC while also alleging ‘police intimidation’.

The candidates in question raised the allegations against the police during the press conference they held in Osogbo on Sunday which was attended by journalists including Team@orientactualmags.com.

While noting that the ‘police intimidation’ has featured coercion and threat, they also pointed fingers at Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East in the senate, alleging that the police have intimidated and harassed members of the party in the State of the Living Spring at his instigation.

They also alleged that the APC is planning to recruit political thugs who will pose as security agents during the upcoming guber election.

‘We call on Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to exercise restraint and conduct himself in a manner befitting his age and public status. We have received disturbing reports alleging plans to recruit thousands of hoodlums to masquerade as security agents for the purpose of intimidating innocent citizens during the elections.

Such allegations, if true, represent a grave danger to public peace and democratic stability. Senator Fadahunsi has benefited immensely from the goodwill of the people of Osun State. It will therefore be unfortunate if his name became associated with any action capable of endangering innocent lives or undermining the integrity of our democratic process’ Rep Bamidele Salam, who presided over the press conference, submitted.

They also questioned the way the police have handled the issue of the arrest of Ijesha South reps candidate, Mr Alaba Ibrahim Popoola, ditto a law student, Olaniyan Sodiq and demanded their release without delay.

‘The latest and perhaps most disturbing example is the arrest of our party’s candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Mr Popoola Alaba, who, we understand, was quietly moved to Abuja this morning.

 Initially, we deliberately exercised restraint. We believed it was only fair to give the Osun State Police Command the benefit of the doubt in the event that there existed any genuine criminal allegation requiring investigation. However, our confidence was shattered after reading the Command’s official explanation in the newspapers. Rather than inspire public confidence, the press statement raised more troubling questions than answers.

 The Police claimed Mr Popoola Alaba was arrested over an alleged petition from an unnamed petitioner, yet failed to disclose the identity, status or locus of that petitioner, thereby denying Nigerians the opportunity to assess the credibility or possible political motivation behind such allegations.

 Even more disturbing is the fact that the Command failed to state whether Mr Popoola Alaba had ever been invited to respond to the purported petition before armed officers resorted to a commando-style arrest and subsequent transfer to Abuja as though he were a convicted criminal or a fugitive.

a. Is this now the standard investigative procedure of the Nigeria Police Force?

b. Is invitation no longer part of criminal investigation?

c. Has due process been completely abandoned whenever any of our party leader is involved?

These are legitimate questions demanding immediate answers’ the Accord Party candidates submitted.

They have also urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the nation’s police chief and ensure that the police are stopped from being a tool of the APC while putting an end to ‘unprofessional conduct’.

The Accord Party candidates also demanded immediate release of Mr Alaba Ibrahim Popoola and Mr Sodiq Akinola Olaniyan.

‘We call on Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to weigh on the disturbing trend of Police harassment, intimidation and persecution of our  party leaders and members in Osun State as we move closer to the August 15th Governorship Election. Mr President is also urged to direct the Inspector General of Police in particular and all heads of security agencies in general to maintain neutrality, professionalism and regard for rule of law and protection of constitutionally guaranteed rights in Osun State before, during and after the August election. 

 We call for the immediate release of Mr Alaba Ibrahim Popoola, the House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South, Mr Sodiq Akinola Olaniyan, a law- abiding law student detained in a criminal cell on allegation of cyber stalking and all other persons arrested without reasonable and lawful reasons in various parts of Osun State 

 The IGP should launch an investigation into the alleged collaboration of CP Gotan and Senator Fadahunsi to witch-hunt Accord leaders ahead of the election. Furthermore, we demand an independent probe into the allegations of importation of thugs, fake/ unauthorised security personnel into Ijesa-land as well as unlawful issuance of arrest directive by Senator Francis Fadahunsi in connivance with some elements in the Osun State police command.

 We call on the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, the National Peace Committee, the Media and other bodies to raise a voice and act in defence of the Peace loving people of Osun State who are currently under APC political siege aided by members of the Nigeria Police Force’ the Accord Party candidates added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you