Adeleke Warns of Rising Violence in Osun, Calls for Peace Committee Intervention

Osun crisis: Adeleke alleges APC, police bias ahead of August 15 poll

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday alleged that the state was moving dangerously toward genocide, accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the police of sustaining violence, intimidation and politically motivated arrests ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking at a peace summit in Osogbo convened by the National Peace Committee, Adeleke said he had considered boycotting the event because of the unrest he said had gripped the state over the past three months, but attended out of respect for the peace leaders present. He claimed that supporters of his government and political allies had come under repeated attacks, with several people injured and others arrested or detained without due process.

The governor alleged that police actions had been used to target members of the Accord Party and other supporters of his administration, saying some detainees were transferred outside Osun State and held without charge. He urged the peace committee to intervene immediately, calling on it to press the Inspector-General of Police to release those in custody or, where necessary, ensure they are charged before a competent court in Osun.

Adeleke also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to step in and halt what he described as rising tensions in the state, insisting that his camp had refrained from retaliation despite the alleged attacks. He said his administration remained committed to a peaceful election and wanted voters to decide the outcome freely and without fear.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the poll. At the time of the governor’s remarks, the APC and the police had not issued public responses to the specific claims, while the governor’s campaign team separately described the arrest of the state secretary and other supporters as part of an attempt to influence the election.