Adeleke Alleges Transfer of 60 Accord Leaders to Abuja, Nasarawa Prisons

Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that more than 60 leaders of the Accord Party were transferred to correctional facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa State despite the presence of competent courts and prisons in Osun State.

Adeleke made the allegation on Thursday during a peace summit convened by political leaders in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking at the meeting, the governor said government officials and his supporters had been subjected to intimidation and attacks over the past three months, adding that he attended the peace meeting out of respect for the state’s traditional and political leaders.

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

Adeleke accused his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the attacks, alleging that the Osun State Police Command had supported opposition elements targeting his supporters.

He cited the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, claiming the raid on the official’s residence was carried out without a valid court-authorised search warrant.

According to the governor, several Accord Party members, including a House of Representatives candidate identified as Hon. Alaba, were arrested and taken outside Osun State.

“More than 60 Accord leaders have been arrested and moved to Abuja and remanded in Abuja and Nasarawa prisons. Why Abuja? We have both the Federal High Court and State High Courts in Osun,” he said.

Adeleke further alleged that eight Accord supporters had been killed while more than 20 sustained injuries during politically related attacks, adding that no suspects had been prosecuted despite what he described as available evidence.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that all detained Accord members were returned to Osun State, insisting that any criminal charges should be handled by courts within the state.

The governor also called on President Bola Tinubu to caution security authorities against actions capable of escalating political tension, urging security agencies to remain impartial and guarantee a free, fair and credible governorship election.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension following the arrest of Igbalaye and five others over alleged vote-buying, an allegation the police said remains under investigation.