By Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, August 12,2026
OSOGBO — Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has raised an alarm over an alleged police directive instructing operatives to carry out mass arrests of Accord Party leaders across Osun State and transport them to Abuja ahead of the upcoming governorship election.
Addressing newsmen during an emergency press briefing in Osogbo on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Governor Adeleke described the purported police signal as an illegal plot designed to suppress opposition voices and assist the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rigging the forthcoming polls.
Adeleke revealed that he personally engaged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to express concern over the developments, warning that executing such arbitrary directives on the eve of an election presents Nigeria as a lawless nation.
Alleged Mass Detention of 62 Political Leaders
According to the Governor, no fewer than 62 leaders of the Accord Party are currently being held in illegal police custody across various local government areas without any formal charges filed against them.
“We have credible reports that a police signal has arrived in Osun directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders,” Adeleke stated. “We also know the directive includes taking them to Abuja immediately with strict instructions that they should not be released until Monday after the election.”
“I have spoken to the Inspector-General of Police about this reported directive. I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal and presents Nigeria as a lawless country. Arresting Accord Party leaders on the eve of an election amounts to the police helping and assisting the APC to rig the election.”
The Governor urged the Police High Command to issue an official public disclaimer assuring citizens that no order has been issued to clamped down on opposition chieftains under trumped-up charges.
Demands for Senator Fadahunsi’s Arrest Over Alleged Incitement
Beyond allegations of police bias, Governor Adeleke highlighted a severe security situation involving a serving lawmaker, Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
Adeleke referenced a trending video clip in which the lawmaker allegedly incited violence against opposition members.
According to the Governor, the content of the video goes beyond partisan politics and constitutes a direct threat to national security.
“The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and their families,” Adeleke asserted. “In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children.”
Adeleke revealed that the matter has been formally reported to the IGP, who confirmed awareness of the video and promised swift action.
He further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to intervene immediately.
Outlining specific demands to protect the integrity of the electoral process, the Osun Governor urged security authorities to immediately halt arbitrary operations conducted by special police units in the state.
Governor Adeleke demanded:
Immediate Cessation of IRT Operations: An immediate end to alleged illegal operations by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), which he accused of unlawfully detaining Accord Party chieftains across local council areas.
Arrest and Prosecution of Senator Fadahunsi: Prompt arrest and investigation of Senator Fadahunsi by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged incitement to genocide in Ijesaland and Osun State.
Release of Detained Leaders: The immediate release or formal charging of the 62 Accord Party leaders currently in police detention.
Adherence to Neutrality: A commitment from all security agencies to abide by their oath of office, uphold due process, and remain strictly neutral before, during, and after the elections.
Reiterating his faith in the rule of law, Adeleke emphasized that Nigeria’s democratic standing before the international community depends heavily on the professional conduct of security forces during election periods.
