Adeleke accuses police of trying to disrupt the election in Ede

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, on Saturday, urged security operatives to stay neutral amid claims of voter intimidation by a police officer known as ‘London.’

Mr Adeleke made this statement while talking to journalists in Ede, his hometown.

“The police officer they brought here, from Port Harcourt, is called ‘London.’ He is in Ede. His job is to come and destroy Ede, and scare people so they can block votes,” the governor stated.

He called on the Nigerian Police Force to pay attention to this situation.

“I’m calling all the security agencies to take note. They should redeploy him,” he said.

The governor mentioned that ‘London’ is not needed in Osun. He asked for his redeployment to ensure the election is free and fair without violence.

“We don’t want him in Osun. We want no violence in Osun. All we want is free and fair elections so that people can perform their civic duty,” he said.

Mr Adeleke also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do its job properly.

He said, “The pattern of voting should go from units to wards and then to local government. It should not go straight to the state capital.”

“That is unacceptable. That’s a form of rigging, and I’ve heard from reliable sources that the APC is trying to rig and has some fake ballot papers.”

He asked the people of Osun to be aware and reject any form of electoral malpractice.

Mr Adeleke mentioned that he got reports from Modakeke and Obaagun that police “are helping the APC to teargas people so voters cannot vote.”

He added, “They took the ballot box and ran away. We will report this to the security agencies. I hope they take action so Osun State does not turn into a war zone.”

Despite these issues, the governor said he is optimistic about winning the election.

Responding to the allegations, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of security for the ongoing Osun governorship election, Samuel Erale, denied the claims made by Mr Adeleke.

Mr Erale, in a press briefing, mentioned that there are “two experienced police officers in Ede, Gabriel Eliagu and Raymond.” He stated that Mr Raymond is the CP for INEC in Abuja.

“He is the CP INEC in Abuja. That is why we sent him to Ede. Ede is one of the volatile areas. So, you can imagine,”

Mr Erale said Mr Raymond is knowledgeable and experienced in handling elections and INEC’s rules.

“Can a person like that working with INEC compromise? Can he? We know what we are doing,” Mr Erale emphasized.

He guaranteed that the police are working to keep the peace in the state during the election.

“The most important thing is that at the end of the day, it will be a free and fair, transparent and credible election, that I promise Nigeria,” he said.

However, the CP noted that no arrests had been made related to the election as of the time of reporting.

Fifteen parties are on the ballot for the off-cycle election. The incumbent Mr Adeleke, whose first term ends in November, is seeking another term under the Accord Party.

Two candidates, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of APGA and Simon Adewale of APM, have withdrawn from the race. Mr Adeyemi-Doro is now supporting the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, while Mr Adewale backs Governor Adeleke. Yet, both APM and APGA will still appear on the ballot.

Other candidates for the governorship seat, according to INEC, include Najeem Salaam (ADC), Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA), Esan Olajide (AAC), Adeagbo Opawoye (ADP), Clement Adesuyi (APP), Masilo Adeleke (BP), Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP), Saliu Oyelami (PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP), Adefemi Adesuyi (ZLP), and Francis Olugbenga (SDP), who was added to the list on Wednesday following a court ruling.

The election might end up being a three-way contest between Messrs Adeleke, Oyebamiji, and Salaam.