- Safiu Kehinde
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) for the re-election bid of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to stop the arbitrary arrest of the Accord Party leaders, demanding the police maintenance of its neutrality and protection of residents ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Kolapo Alimi, the Deputy Director-General of the campaign council, made the call while addressing a news conference on Sunday in Osogbo.
Alimi said upholding the rule of law, maintaining professional neutrality, and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, were essential to preserving public confidence in the police and safeguarding democracy.
He added that, to restore public confidence, the police high command should review the deployment of security personnel in the state ahead of the election to ensure that only professional, neutral and uncorrupted officers were on duty.
Alimi, who is the Commissioner for Information, alleged that members of the Accord Party in the state were being marked for arrest by the opposition ahead of the poll.
He urged the Inspector-General to investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and harassment of party leaders.
“We urge our members, Accord Party stakeholders and all peace-loving citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, but resilient and vigilant.
“Do not allow yourselves to be provoked into violence but stand firm in defence of your constitutional right to vote for leaders of your choice.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately issue a firm directive to the Osun State Police Command, SCID and special squads from Abuja to cease the arbitrary arrest and harassment of our leaders, including those listed for transfer to Abuja,” he said.