The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the immediate release of 86 Accord Party members allegedly arrested by the police ahead of the August 8 governorship election, accusing security agencies of political intimidation.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the campaign’s spokesperson, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbasi, described the arrests as unlawful and warned that they could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming governorship poll.

Olajengbasi alleged that the detained individuals, all members of the Accord Party, were arrested solely because of their support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid and not for committing any criminal offence.

According to him, efforts to obtain clarification from police authorities yielded no explanation, as no petition or formal charges had been filed against the detainees.

He further claimed that 36 of those arrested had been transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while another 14 were moved to the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.

Describing the development as a misuse of state institutions, the campaign spokesman accused the police of abandoning their constitutional responsibility by acting in a partisan manner during the election period.

Olajengbasi also alleged that the Secretary to the Osun State Government was arrested while carrying out voter sensitisation activities, insisting that security agencies should protect the democratic process rather than intimidate political actors.

He further claimed that some of the arrested party members were allegedly asked by security personnel whether they were willing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the allegation as disturbing and embarrassing for Nigeria’s democracy.

Calling for urgent intervention, the campaign urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure neutrality among security agencies and accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of bias, warning that his continued supervision of election security could compromise the integrity of the poll.

The council also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that security agencies remain impartial before, during, and after the governorship election.

When contacted, Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan said he was unaware of the alleged arrests and promised to verify the claims.

“I am not aware. Let me check and get back to you,” the police commissioner said.

As of the time of filing the report, he had yet to provide further clarification on the matter.

The campaign maintained that Nigerians and the international community would closely monitor the conduct of security agencies during the election, stressing that democratic institutions must not be deployed to harass or intimidate political opponents.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, is set to inaugurate the party’s Oyo State Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council on Friday as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the inauguration ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

The statement announced the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, as the Oyo State Coordinator of the APM 2027 Presidential Campaign and Director-General of the party’s Oyo State Governorship Campaign Council.

Former Chairman of Oyo East Local Government, Hon. Saheed Arowosaye, popularly known as AROSAD, will serve as the Deputy State Coordinator of the presidential campaign in the state.

To strengthen the governorship campaign structure, the party also appointed three Deputy Directors-General to oversee operations across the state’s senatorial districts.

Hon. Ademola Ojo, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, will coordinate activities in Oyo South, while Dr. Femi Ojo and Alhaji Siju Lawal will supervise Oyo Central and Oyo North senatorial districts, respectively.

The campaign council also named Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo as Director of the Women’s Wing, while former Special Assistant on Youth to Governor Makinde, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, will lead the Youth Wing.

The statement added that additional members of the campaign council and other campaign structures would be announced in the coming days as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, along with five other suspects following a raid on his residence in Osogbo over alleged electoral and criminal offences.

According to the police, the operation was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that members of a suspected criminal gang were hiding at the residence.

During the raid, officers arrested six individuals, including Igbalaye, and recovered cash totaling ₦4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, and a printer.

The other suspects were identified as Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau, and Aderemi Musliu.

Police disclosed that Abiodun was already on its watchlist over alleged criminal activities.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

The police said the items recovered raise serious concerns about possible violations of the Electoral Act, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect, and other offences that may emerge as investigations progress.

According to the command, investigators are working to determine the source and intended use of the recovered cash, identify all individuals connected to the voter register and other exhibits, and establish the full scope of any criminal enterprise.

The police maintained that no individual, regardless of political position or social status, is above the law, assuring the public that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the operation, alleging that police officers invaded the residence of the SSG without obtaining a search warrant.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government accused the police of unlawfully storming the residence with a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and arresting those found on the premises.

The Court of Appeal has nullified the judgment of a Federal High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties, a decision that has drawn widespread commendation from opposition leaders and political stakeholders.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, describing the action as incompetent because it was filed by a non-juristic body.

The court also faulted the trial judge for failing to properly evaluate evidence presented before the court and for proceeding with the matter despite an earlier order staying proceedings.

Consequently, the appellate court set aside the June 15 judgment, affirmed the continued legal status of the affected political parties, and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which instituted the suit.

The parties restored by the judgment are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Reacting to the verdict, ADC National Chairman, David Mark, described the ruling as a triumph for democracy, constitutionalism, and the rule of law.

He said the decision had renewed confidence in the judiciary and reaffirmed its role as the guardian of democratic values and constitutional rights.

Mark maintained that the judgment protects Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and urged party members nationwide to remain united while intensifying grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also welcomed the ruling, insisting that the 2027 elections should be decided by Nigerians at the ballot box rather than through the courts.

According to Atiku, the judgment, alongside an earlier Federal High Court decision affirming the David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the ADC, has effectively settled all legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership and eligibility to participate in the 2027 general elections.

In Osun State, Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, described the verdict as a victory for democracy and called on party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) also applauded the appellate court’s decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of constitutional democracy.

The council, however, renewed its call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the Federal High Court judge whose ruling was overturned, arguing that judicial accountability is essential to protecting democratic institutions.

Similarly, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum hailed the judgment, saying it reinforces constitutional governance and strengthens Nigeria’s multiparty democracy by affirming that political parties cannot be arbitrarily deregistered outside the provisions of the law.

Meanwhile, the ADC accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of weakening democratic institutions and eroding the constitutional principle of checks and balances.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the executive, legislature, and judiciary no longer function independently as required under the Constitution.

He also accused the Federal Government of disregarding court orders and carrying out unbudgeted expenditures, warning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s democratic system.