Osun 2026: Adeleke Alleges Plot Against Accord Members

… Accuses Police of Bias as Parties Sign Peace Accord

By Omidiran Seun

OSOGBO – The Osun State Governorship Peace Accord signing ceremony in Osogbo turned dramatic on Thursday after Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the Nigeria Police Force of condoning political violence and warned of a descent into anarchy ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The event, convened by the National Peace Committee, NPC, brought together 14 political parties, traditional rulers, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies. It was chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and had in attendance Bishop Matthew Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

Adeleke, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, said he considered boycotting the ceremony over the recent wave of violence in the state, which he blamed on his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence here is due to my deep respect for our peace leaders,” the governor said.

He alleged a systematic plot to kill, maim and incarcerate leaders of the Accord Party, claiming a collusion between suspected APC thugs and the Osun State Police Command.

According to him, eight members of his party have been killed and over 20 others injured in gun attacks in the last three months, with no arrests or prosecutions made.

“The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs and the crimes were committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet,” Adeleke said.

He further claimed that over 60 Accord leaders had been arrested in Osun and transferred to Abuja, where they are being held without formal charges.

The governor urged the National Peace Committee to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police to return all detained persons to Osun and charge them to court if they have any case to answer, and to interface with President Bola Tinubu to halt the violence.

“There is an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after the election. There is an active progression towards genocide in Osun State,” he alleged.

Responding, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, who was present at the event, assured that the police would discharge its duties with professionalism, impartiality and respect for the rule of law.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Fasuba Olayemi, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, said security agencies had been given strict directives to neutralize thuggery, cultism and ballot disruption, assuring that the Osun election would be peaceful, citing the recent Ekiti election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, said the commission was concerned about reports of violence and threats, describing insecurity as an assault on the ballot.

“We will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force,” Amupitan said.

He disclosed that INEC has identified 11 local government areas as potential flashpoints – Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun and Oriade – which will receive special security deployment.

Amupitan added that Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters, including 322,822 newly registered voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. He said collection of PVCs has been extended to July 31, while mock accreditation will hold on August 1. According to him, INEC will deploy 4,427 BVAS devices, including 664 backups, across 3,763 polling units.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who presided over the signing, warned that the accord should not be treated as a mere ritual.

“This signing of accord is not just a formality, a ritual. It is supposed to mean something serious,” Onaiyekan said.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, also urged stakeholders to preserve the peace of Osun State, which he described as the cradle of Yoruba tradition.

In a separate statement, the Accord Party demanded the release of its members and the removal of the state police commissioner, alleging that about 100 of its leaders and supporters had been arrested, with some moved to Abuja, in a politically motivated crackdown.

The APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, was absent at the ceremony. The party was represented by its State Publicity Secretary, Kola Olabisi. His running mate arrived after the event had ended.