By Peace Udugba
– – – police bias, voter intimidation and politically motivated attacks ahead of August 15 governorship election
A Senior Special Adviser to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Comrade Fumisho Babarinde, has alleged that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) imported hoodlums from Lagos and Ondo states to foment violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Babarinde also accused the Presidency and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of remaining silent despite what he described as rising political tension, intimidation and violence in the state.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the governor’s aide alleged that supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke were being intimidated in a bid to discourage them from participating in the election.
He further claimed that members of the ruling Accord Party were facing systematic harassment and intimidation, accusing the APC of using its influence to instill fear among political opponents.
“We are going to make the whole world know that in Osun we are being intimidated and harassed by APC leaders in the state, and the Presidency is looking on. The Inspector-General of Police has not said anything up till this morning,” he said.
Babarinde also alleged that the political atmosphere in Osun had become increasingly volatile, claiming that there had been politically motivated killings in several parts of the state.
“Over the last couple of weeks, the atmosphere has been very tense. There have been politically motivated killings across the state, from Irewole Local Government to Boripe, Oriade, Osogbo and Ilesa. We will not engage the APC in violence. They are the ones terrorising us and bringing hoodlums from Lagos and Ondo to cause crisis, but we will remain peaceful,” he said.
The governor’s aide further accused the Osun State Police Command of bias, alleging that security operatives had failed to treat all political parties fairly.
He specifically criticised the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that the command had not acted impartially in handling political incidents involving the Accord Party.
“The police are supposed to be fair, but the Osun Police Command has been biased. History will judge the actions of the Commissioner of Police, and I believe he should remain impartial in carrying out his constitutional duties,” he stated.
According to Babarinde, many party supporters now fear wearing party colours or insignia in public because of alleged harassment.
He also claimed that campaign billboards belonging to the Accord Party had been vandalised as part of efforts to intimidate supporters ahead of the governorship election.
Babarinde further alleged that the legal challenge seeking to stop Governor Adeleke from participating in the election was being financed by APC leaders in the state.
“It is APC leaders in Osun who do not want Governor Ademola Adeleke on the ballot. They don’t want a contest, and they are the ones funding the case,” he alleged.
Despite the allegations, he said Governor Adeleke had consistently urged party supporters to remain peaceful and avoid any form of violence.
“The governor has repeatedly appealed to our supporters to remain peaceful because some people want a crisis that could disrupt the election,” he said.
Babarinde disclosed that the state government would present documented cases of alleged intimidation and harassment to the National Peace Committee during the signing of the peace accord by political parties.
He said civil society organisations had also documented the alleged incidents and would submit them to the committee for consideration.
“We have documented everything, and the National Peace Committee will be briefed. We believe the committee will take appropriate steps to ensure peace before and during the election,” he added.
He reaffirmed that supporters of the Accord Party would not resort to violence, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain neutral and ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election.
“We want peaceful, free and credible elections. Everyone should be allowed to vote without intimidation, and INEC and security agencies must remain impartial,” he said.
Babarinde also expressed confidence that, despite the prevailing political tension, Osun residents would come out peacefully to vote on election day.
