Imole Campaign Council alleges political interference after arrest of Osun SSG Teslim Igbalaye ahead of the August 15 governorship poll
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign team, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), has accused the Osun State Police Command of political bias following the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
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The council made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, claiming that the police operation was politically motivated and designed to weaken key figures supporting Adeleke’s re-election bid.
TICC described the arrest of Igbalaye as an abuse of authority, alleging that the action raised concerns about the neutrality of security agencies during the election period.
“The Osun Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, had departed from its constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order and had instead become involved in political activities,” the council said.
The campaign body further alleged that the arrest was aimed at removing influential political organisers from the electoral process, while rejecting claims linking the detained individuals to criminal activities.
“The unlawful raid on the home and arrest of the SSG, Hon. Igbalaye, has proven our concerns right. Attempts by the police to portray the arrested officials as criminals is nothing but a comical relief hurriedly put up to whitewash a terrible policing job,” TICC stated.
The council also challenged the police’s reference to an alleged watch list involving Igbalaye, arguing that such documents should remain confidential unless an individual has been formally declared wanted.
TICC described the use of the watch list in public discussions as irresponsible, insisting that it amounted to an attempt to damage the reputation of those arrested.
The campaign team also questioned the police’s interpretation of electoral offences, particularly allegations of vote buying linked to funds recovered during the operation.
According to TICC, the reported ₦4.8 million found during the arrest did not amount to an electoral offence, arguing that the money was meant for logistics and transportation expenses for political mobilisation.
“The funds were intended to cover logistics, including transportation costs for Accord mobilisers attending a political meeting,” the council said.
The group added that possession of voters’ registers was not unlawful because the documents were publicly accessible to registered political parties.
The Adeleke campaign team further accused the police of failing to act over alleged attacks involving suspected political supporters at collation centres in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Akarabata in Ile-Ife.
It claimed that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were taken during the incidents and alleged that the matters were raised during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo.
The council urged the Osun State Police Command to remain impartial and uphold its constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens regardless of political affiliation.
“Democracy should be about the contest of ideas, not the rule of force, and the Police should know that its job is strictly law enforcement, not forcing leadership choice on the people,” the statement added.
The allegations come amid heightened political activity in Osun as parties intensify preparations for the governorship election.
Security agencies have repeatedly been urged by stakeholders to maintain neutrality and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
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The police command has yet to publicly respond to the allegations made by the Adeleke campaign team.
