The Imole Campaign Council has condemned what it described as unlawful night raids, arrests, and harassment of members and leaders of the Accord Party in Osun State by operatives of the Nigeria Police.
In a statement signed by Rep. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, the Council said the raids targeted the homes of Hon. Ibukun Fadipe, Accord candidate for Osun East Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, and Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government and ALGON Chairman in Osun, between Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to the Council, the pattern of “invasion of homes without due process and lawful justification” is unwarranted and oppressive.
“In a constitutional democracy, no citizen should be subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrest or invasion of privacy simply because of his or her political affiliation or participation in electoral activities,” the statement read.
The Council alleged that the actions were being coordinated by political office holders within the APC, specifically naming Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, and Hon. Wole Oke, through the alleged misuse of the Nigeria Police Force.
“These desperate acts… paint Nigeria in shameful colours and portray us as a people incapable of learning from history. Our democracy cannot thrive where political competition is overshadowed by political witch-hunt,” it stated.
The Council called on the National Human Rights Commission, civil rights organisations, and the international community to take note of the alleged attacks on constitutional rights.
It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ibrahim Popoola Alaba, Accord candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency for 2027, and other party leaders reportedly held in police cells and detention facilities across the country.
The Council further urged the Inspector-General of Police to halt any activities of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in Osun State not grounded in law and due process, and to allow citizens to participate in electoral activities without fear or intimidation.
“If any individual is suspected of committing an offence, the appropriate authorities should follow due process, disclose the basis of the arrest where legally permissible, grant access to legal representation and ensure that the individual is brought before a competent court within the time prescribed by law,” the statement added.
The Imole Campaign Council said it remains committed to democracy, constitutional liberties, and the rule of law, and urged all political actors and security agencies to resist attempts to turn the 2027 electoral process into “an avenue for intimidation or political persecution.”
