OSUN GUBER: ACCORD ACCUSES POLICE OF SELECTIVE ARRESTS

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Accord Alleges Selective Policing Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has accused the State Police Command of targeting its members through selective policing ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The allegation comes after the police dismissed claims by the Imole Campaign Council that it had compiled a list of political figures to be arrested before the poll.

In a statement issued by the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party rejected the police’s explanation for recent raids and arrests, alleging that the operations were being used to intimidate its members rather than combat crime.

Accord claimed the police had abandoned their constitutional duty by focusing on members of the party while allegedly failing to take similar action against individuals it linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party specifically mentioned Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, and others allegedly associated with the APC, claiming they had not faced the same security operations despite allegations against them. It argued that the perceived selective enforcement was eroding public confidence in the police.

Citing an incident in Ikire, the party alleged that one of its members, Taofeeq Akinyemi, who was recently arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), had earlier survived a gunshot attack allegedly carried out by Akinkunmi Alabi, also known as Ojuyobo. Accord questioned why the alleged attacker had not been arrested.

Akande said the party supports efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure a peaceful election but would not accept attempts to portray its members as criminals.

He called on the police to review their operations, release what the party described as political detainees, including Akinyemi, and maintain neutrality throughout the election period.

Responding, the Osun State Police Command maintained that its operations are strictly aimed at tackling crime and ensuring security ahead of the election.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, denied the existence of any list of politicians marked for arrest and insisted that the command was not targeting any political party.

According to Ojelabi, the police conduct daily raids on criminal hideouts as part of efforts to create a safe environment for the election, stressing that the operations are intelligence-driven and not politically motivated.

He added that the command would continue its crackdown on criminal elements across the state and urged parents to discourage their children from late-night outings and association with individuals involved in criminal activities.

Ojelabi also disclosed that the proposed joint security task force announced by the Osun State Government has yet to begin operations.