Osun Progressing Towards Genocide, Adeleke Alleges

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that the state is progressing towards genocide ahead of the August 15 governorship election, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Police of orchestrating violence, intimidation and politically motivated arrests against members of his party.

Speaking on Thursday at a Peace Summit convened ahead of the governorship election, Adeleke claimed that his administration and supporters had come under sustained attacks over the past three months, urging members of the peace committee to intervene before the situation escalates further.

The governor said he considered boycotting the summit because of the insecurity in the state but attended out of respect for the peace committee.

“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months, on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present,” he said.

Adeleke alleged that his government and supporters were facing “police-sanctioned violence and intimidation,” accusing the Osun State Police Command of backing the opposition.

“Our gathering is to endorse peace but my government and people are facing police sanctioned violence and intimidation. War is being waged actively against my people by Osun APC openly supported by the Osun State Police Command,” he stated.

Appealing to the peace committee, the governor warned that the state was moving towards genocide if urgent action was not taken.

“I urge our peace leaders to help Osun State, stop a progression towards genocide against Osun people,” Adeleke said.

He further alleged that eight members of his party had been killed within the last three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries without any prosecution of those responsible.

“In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest till date. The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs with crimes committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet,” he alleged.

The governor also accused the police of detaining more than 60 members of the Accord Party without trial.

According to him, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, was arrested and detained overnight after security operatives allegedly raided his residence without a court-authorised search warrant.

“Presently, more than 60 Accord members are in police detention without being charged to court. The SSG to the State Government was arrested on trumped up charges and was detained overnight after his house was raided without any court authorized search warrant,” he said.

Adeleke further alleged that more than 60 Accord leaders, including a House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Alaba, had been transferred to detention facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa State without being charged before any court.

Questioning the legality of the transfers, the governor argued that courts in Osun State were competent to hear any criminal cases involving those arrested.

He appealed to the peace committee to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police to return all those in custody to Osun State and prosecute them there if the police had evidence of any wrongdoing.

The governor also alleged that the police recently aided a suspected APC thug in taking control of garages and motor parks across the state.

Warning that violence could intensify before, during and after the election, Adeleke alleged there was a plot to attack residents.

“There is an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after Osun elections. Our dear peace leaders, there is an active progression towards genocide in Osun State,” he said.

He urged the peace committee to engage President Bola Tinubu to stop what he described as continued violence, while accusing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, the APC and the Osun State Commissioner of Police of fuelling the crisis.

Adeleke also called for an end to what he described as the police’s alliance with APC members and urged security agencies to remain impartial during the election.

Reaffirming his commitment to peace, the governor said his supporters had exercised restraint despite the alleged attacks.

“So far, we have refused to retaliate. My people have not resorted to self help. This is not out of weakness but due to our firm belief in rule of law.

“We are committed to peace but we are presently having a peace of the graveyard.

“We are ready for August 15; Osun people are ready to vote. Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission and supremacy of voters’ will at the polls,” he added.

Adeleke’s remarks come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

At the time of filing this report, the APC, the Nigeria Police, Gboyega Oyetola and other individuals mentioned by the governor had not publicly responded to the allegations.

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