The Imole Campaign Council has condemned what it described as the alleged use of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to arrest key Accord Party leaders ahead of the August 15, 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the Council alleged that Oyetola was “remote-controlling” federal security institutions to target and arrest party mobilizers across the state.
“Our intelligence confirms that Gboyega Oyetola, embittered by his 2022 loss, is rattled by the growing and unstoppable support for the Accord Party in Osun State, prompting the former Governor to remote-control the Inspector-General of Police to issue arbitrary arrest warrants and unleash a crackdown on leaders of the party,” the statement said.
The Council accused the Minister of misusing federal power to suppress opposition ahead of the poll.
“We condemn the brazen misuse of state power and federal security institutions by Gboyega Oyetola. Having lost touch with the electorate, and with the imminent defeat of his lackey candidate, the Minister is controlling the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to pursue a path of intimidation, harassment, and political persecution,” it stated.
Citing a specific case, the Council alleged the arrest and humiliation of a sitting commissioner.
“The latest of the spate of arrests is that of Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, a sitting commissioner, who was stripped naked yesterday by the police taking orders from Oyetola. He was ordered to remove his boxers and underwear singlet just to humiliate him. That is a sitting Honourable Commissioner, arrested for committing no offence other than supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke,” the statement said.
The Council said the Accord Party would not be cowed by the alleged crackdown.
“We state unequivocally that the Accord Party will not be intimidated. No amount of state-sponsored harassment, unlawful arrests, or political witch-hunts will deter us,” it said.
It also called on stakeholders to intervene to safeguard the electoral process.
“We call on the international community, the media, civil society organizations, and local and international election observers to intervene and protect Osun State from the subversion of democracy and the will of the people by a few individuals,” the Council added.
The Imole Campaign Council urged party members to remain calm.
“We urge all Accord Party members, supporters, and the resilient people of Osun State to remain calm, law-abiding, and vigilant.”