Adeleke Condemns Arrest of Osun PDP Chairman, Calls for Immediate Release

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has condemned the reported arrest of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sunday Bisi, shortly after he cast his vote in the ongoing governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, August 15, by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the arrest as an attempt to intimidate political supporters and called for Bisi’s immediate release.

According to the governor, Bisi was allegedly arrested at his residence in Ilesa after returning from his polling unit where he had voted. Adeleke said the PDP chairman was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location, while no reason had been made public for the arrest.

The governor alleged that the incident was part of a broader attempt to prevent his supporters and party members from monitoring the collation of election results across the state.

Adeleke further alleged that security agencies were being used to undermine the electoral process and claimed that the arrests could provide room for manipulation at various collation centres.

“This is the biggest assault on democracy, and I urge everyone involved in this desperate attempt to upturn the will of our people through the use of state institutions,” the governor said.

He called for the immediate release of Bisi and other political detainees allegedly arrested across Osun State.

According to Adeleke, elections should allow citizens to freely choose their preferred candidates without intimidation, threats or force.

Meanwhile, in a separate message on Saturday, Adeleke commended Osun residents for turning out in large numbers to participate in the governorship election.

The governor said the safety of voters remained paramount as the process moved from voting to the collation of results.

“The safety and protection of our people is paramount,” Adeleke said.

He urged security agencies deployed for the election to remain vigilant during the collation of results from polling units to wards and local government areas.

Adeleke also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the highest standards of integrity throughout the collation and declaration process.

“Democracy is at its strongest when we honor the wishes of our people and protect the sanctity of their votes,” he said.

The governor urged Osun residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the democratic process as the results are collated.

“Let the people’s will prevail,” Adeleke added.

The allegations surrounding Bisi’s arrest have not been independently established, and the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest remained unclear at the time of publication.