The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Osun State Police Command of attempting to influence the August 15 governorship election, alleging that the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, was politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that the police, under Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, had abandoned their constitutional responsibility by targeting Accord Party leaders.
It described the raid on Igbalaye’s residence and his subsequent arrest as an abuse of power aimed at weakening the party ahead of the election.
The campaign council rejected allegations linking the SSG to electoral offences, arguing that the reported N4.8 million found in his residence did not violate any provision of the Electoral Act or the Money Laundering Act. It also maintained that the voters’ register recovered by the police was a public document available to all political parties participating in the election.
TICC further alleged that the police had failed to act against those responsible for recent attacks on PVC distribution centres in Okuku and Ile-Ife, despite reports that voter cards were carted away during the incidents.
It claimed law enforcement authorities were selectively targeting Accord members while ignoring alleged offences involving members of the APC.
The council called on the police authorities to immediately release Igbalaye and others in custody, insisting that security agencies should remain neutral and uphold the rule of law rather than interfere in the political process ahead of the governorship poll.
