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Osun poll: Adeleke’s camp alleges planned clampdown, police dismiss claim
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Osun poll: Adeleke’s camp alleges planned clampdown, police dismiss claim

The Imole Campaign Council, representing Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, has claimed that the state police have compiled a list of 46 individuals, including a serving commissioner and members of the Accord Party, for potential arrest before the upcoming August 15 governorship election. These allegations were made by Kolapo Alimi, Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, who stated that the targeted individuals are primarily based in Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area. Among those named is Commissioner for Energy Ademola Adeyemo, as well as other local leaders and opposition figures. The campaign council also accused an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of colluding with the opposition to facilitate these arrests. They have called for the immediate release of Taofeek Akinyemi, an Accord Party member who was reportedly shot and later arrested, and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure neutrality in the deployment of security forces.

Accord Party has formally petitioned President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders over what it describes as widespread police harassment, intimidation, and arrests of its members and government officials in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The party claims that approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters have been arrested and detained across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja. These actions, according to Accord, are politically motivated and aimed at weakening its campaign efforts in the lead-up to the election. Maxwell Mgbudem, the National Chairman of Accord, stated that the party has long raised concerns about attacks on its campaign infrastructure, including the destruction of campaign billboards and assaults on its campaign council. Despite repeated complaints to security agencies, no perpetrators have been arrested or prosecuted. Mgbudem accused the police of failing to act on these issues and emphasized that the current wave of arrests represents a deliberate effort to undermine the integrity of the election. The petition also calls for the immediate removal of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing allegations of partisanship and suggesting that his continued tenure could jeopardize the credibility of the election. Accord has urged President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organizations, and the international community to intervene and ensure a level playing field for all political parties. Governor Ademola Adeleke, running for re-election under the Accord Party banner, has separately raised concerns about extrajudicial killings in Osun State. He addressed a campaign rally in Osogbo and urged President Tinubu to take action against what he described as ongoing violence and police bias. Adeleke warned that any attempt to manipulate the election would face resistance from the electorate, referencing the 1983 crisis in Yorubaland where political violence erupted due to perceived electoral fraud. Adeleke also criticized the police for appearing to side with certain political factions and reiterated that Osun State would not tolerate rigging in the upcoming election. His remarks followed a police raid on the residence of Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, where authorities recovered cash, voter cards, and other items as part of an investigation into alleged vote-buying and criminal activity. The Osun government denied the allegations, calling the raid politically motivated and illegal. Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, leading Adeleke's re-election bid, has alleged that the police have compiled a hit list of 46 individuals, including high-profile figures such as the Commissioner for Energy, Ademola Adeyemo, and other Accord Party members. The campaign council claims that some of these individuals have been arrested or detained after reporting incidents of violence to the police. They have called for the immediate release of those detained and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene to prevent arbitrary arrests. The Osun State Police Command has denied these allegations, stating that raids are conducted to target criminal hideouts and not specific individuals or political parties. A police spokesperson emphasized that operations are based on existing criminal records and not on any premeditated list. However, the campaign council insists that the police are complicit in a broader strategy to suppress opposition voices ahead of the election. As tensions escalate, the focus remains on ensuring a free and fair election process. Accord has reiterated its commitment to peaceful participation and has called on its supporters to obtain their voter cards and exercise their right to vote. The party has also warned that no amount of intimidation or violence can deter the people of Osun from choosing their preferred candidate. The situation highlights growing concerns over the neutrality of security agencies in the run-up to the election. While the police have pledged to maintain a peaceful environment, the allegations of bias and political interference persist. As the August 15 election approaches, the outcome will depend heavily on whether these concerns are adequately addressed to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.

7 reports

Premium Times Nigeria logoPremium Times NigeriaIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 755 days ago
Osun 2026: Accord Party petitions Tinubu, IGP over alleged police intimidation

Ahead of the 15 August governorship election in Osun State, the Accord Party has filed a petition against President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and others, alleging that the police have engaged in politically motivated arrests and intimidation targeting its members. The party claims that approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters have been arrested, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja for investigation. The petition follows a police raid on the residence of Secretary to the State Government Teslim Igbalaye, which resulted in the recovery of cash and electoral materials. The state government has denied the allegations, calling the raid illegal and politically motivated. The party has also called for the removal of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing alleged partisanship. Governor Ademola Adeleke, running under the Accord Party, faces Bola Oyebamiji of the APC in the election.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the police actions as politically motivated and highlights the accusations against the ruling party, suggesting potential bias toward the opposition. It emphasizes the alleged intimidation and lack of impartiality from law enforcement, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the Accord Party's petition to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police regarding alleged police intimidation. These claims are consistent with other articles that mention similar issues. The facts presented are aligned with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (75): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the Accord Party's concerns without overt bias. It includes relevant background information and provides context about the ongoing tensions between the party and the police, contributing to a balanced portrayal.

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 65yesterday
Osun Election: Don’t allow a repeat of 1983 crisis – Adeleke warns Tinubu

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has publicly warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing electoral fraud in the upcoming August 15 governorship election, citing the risk of repeating the 1983 political violence. Adeleke accused Tinubu’s party chieftains of inciting unrest and called on the president to intervene to prevent a recurrence of past crises. He emphasized the need for a 'free and fair' election and urged Tinubu to address the situation, as his party has endorsed Tinubu as the 2027 presidential candidate. Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council Director-General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, encouraged voters to support Adeleke by casting ballots and protecting their votes.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the conflict as a struggle between the governor and the president over electoral integrity, emphasizing the risks of fraud and political violence. The language suggests a critique of the ruling party’s actions and a defense of democratic processes, aligning with left-leaning views

Why factuality (85): The article accurately conveys Governor Adeleke's warnings to President Tinubu about the potential for political violence and police harassment. This aligns with other articles that report similar concerns. The facts presented are consistent with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (65): The article maintains a somewhat neutral tone but leans slightly towards supporting Governor Adeleke's stance. It includes direct quotes from Adeleke without additional context or counterarguments, which can be seen as a slight bias.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 705 days ago
Accord petitions Tinubu, IG over alleged police harassment

The Accord party has filed a petition against President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and other stakeholders, alleging that police officers harassed, intimidated, and arrested its members and government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. The party claims approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters were arrested and detained, with some transferred to Abuja. The National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, accused the police of acting with political motives to disrupt the party's campaign efforts and undermine the election's integrity. He criticized the lack of action by security agencies against attackers targeting the party's campaign infrastructure and called for intervention from national leaders and international bodies to protect democratic processes.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the police actions as politically motivated interference in electoral processes, aligning with left-leaning critiques of authoritarian practices. It emphasizes the suppression of opposition voices and the failure of security agencies to uphold democratic norms, which reflects a左翼的

Why factuality (80): The article accurately reports the Accord Party's petition to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police regarding alleged police harassment. These claims are consistent with other articles that mention similar issues. However, the absence of independent verification limits the ability to

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the Accord Party's perspective without significant bias. It includes direct quotes from the party's chairman and provides context about the ongoing tensions between the party and the police, maintaining a relatively balanced approach.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 657 days ago
Osun accuses police of invading SSG, commissioners’ homes

The Osun State Government has accused the state police command of conducting unauthorized raids on the residences of senior officials, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, and multiple commissioners. The allegations, made in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, claim that police forces, led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, entered these homes without search warrants, arrested individuals present, and confiscated property. The government alleges that these actions constitute a systematic attack on democratic institutions and that the police are acting in support of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Similar raids have reportedly targeted other officials, with some detainees held without bail. The state government condemns the behavior as unlawful and a threat to democracy.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the police actions as politically motivated and aligned with the ruling APC party, suggesting a partisan agenda. The language used ('reprehensible unprofessional conduct', 'law enforcement agency becoming lawless') implies a critical stance toward the police force and the APC. The

Why factuality (80): The article accurately reports the Osun State Government's allegations against the police regarding the invasion of the SSG's residence. These claims are consistent with other articles that mention similar incidents. However, the lack of independent verification limits the ability to confirm the ful

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the Osun State Government's perspective without significant bias. It includes direct quotes from the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment and provides context about the ongoing tensions between the government and the police, maintaining a relatively balanced app

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 60yesterday
Adeleke urges Tinubu to intervene in Osun killings

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke publicly accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to address ongoing extrajudicial killings in the state and called on him to intervene. Speaking at a campaign rally for the Accord Party, Adeleke emphasized the need for a 'free and fair' gubernatorial election on August 15, warning against electoral manipulation. He referenced historical tensions from 1983, when political cheating occurred in the region, and claimed that voters would take action if rigging was attempted. Adeleke also criticized the police for allegedly taking sides in the political crisis and reiterated his endorsement of Tinubu's candidacy for the 2027 general elections.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a moral and democratic imperative, emphasizing the need for intervention from the president and highlighting past injustices. The language suggests a strong alignment with the ruling party's values and a critique of perceived inaction by the administration. The ph

Why factuality (80): The article accurately reports Governor Adeleke's statements about extrajudicial killings and his appeal to President Tinubu. These claims align with other articles that discuss similar concerns. However, the lack of independent corroboration makes it difficult to assess the full factual accuracy.

Why objectivity (60): The article exhibits a clear bias towards Governor Adeleke's position, using phrases like 'fatherly role' and 'we want a free and fair election.' It frames the situation in a manner that supports Adeleke's narrative without presenting alternative viewpoints.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 652 days ago
Osun poll: Adeleke’s camp alleges planned clampdown, police dismiss claim

The Imole Campaign Council, representing Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, has claimed that the state police have compiled a list of 46 individuals, including a serving commissioner and members of the Accord Party, for potential arrest before the upcoming August 15 governorship election. These allegations were made by Kolapo Alimi, Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, who stated that the targeted individuals are primarily based in Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area. Among those named is Commissioner for Energy Ademola Adeyemo, as well as other local leaders and opposition figures. The campaign council also accused an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of colluding with the opposition to facilitate these arrests. They have called for the immediate release of Taofeek Akinyemi, an Accord Party member who was reportedly shot and later arrested, and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure neutrality in the deployment of security forces.

Bias read (Progressive): The article presents allegations from the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke, suggesting a coordinated effort by political opponents and security operatives to suppress opposition through arbitrary arrests. This framing emphasizes the actions of the ruling party's campaign and impliesa

Why factuality (75): The article provides specific details about the Imole Campaign Council's allegations, including the list of 46 people and the involvement of the Commissioner for Energy. These claims are consistent with other articles that mention similar accusations against the police. However, there is no independ

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'creditable security reports' and 'coordinated hit list,' which suggest a biased perspective. While it presents the allegations made by the Imole Campaign Council, it does not provide counterpoints or evidence from the opposing side.

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 60yesterday
I pity Tinubu but more concerned for Nigeria — OLAWEPO-Hashim

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a presidential candidate for the Accord Party and co-chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal, expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu's recent public communication, which he claims differs from Tinubu's behavior between 2018 and 2021. Olawepo-Hashim, who described his concerns as non-political but humanitarian, stated that Tinubu's remarks suggest he may need assistance and criticized those around him for prioritizing re-election over his well-being and national interests. He emphasized that Nigeria must maintain the democratic standards established in 2015, when former President Goodluck Jonathan peacefully transferred power after losing the election. Olawepo-Hashim warned that the 2027 general election must meet or exceed this standard of credibility and urged electoral commissions, security agencies, and other institutions to uphold impartiality and professionalism to preserve Nigeria's democratic integrity.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames concerns about President Tinubu's public communication in a manner that suggests personal distress and calls for institutional accountability, aligning with progressive values emphasizing democratic norms and institutional integrity. The emphasis on maintaining the 2015 democratic

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim's concerns about President Tinubu's recent public communications. These claims are consistent with other articles that mention similar concerns. However, the lack of independent verification limits the ability to confirm the full extent of the

Why objectivity (60): The article exhibits a clear bias towards expressing concern for President Tinubu's well-being and the state of Nigeria's democracy. It frames the situation in a manner that supports Olawepo-Hashim's narrative without presenting alternative viewpoints.

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