Governor claims seven supporters killed, over 60 detained as campaign accuses police and political opponents of intimidation.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he described as escalating violence, intimidation and politically motivated arrests ahead of the August 15 governorship election, alleging that elements within the Nigeria Police Force and political opponents are targeting his supporters.

State Police Bill Ready For Tinubu September 3 — Gbajabiamila

Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke claimed that seven members of his party had been killed in the past three months, more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries, while over 60 supporters remained in what he described as illegal police detention. He alleged that the attacks were part of efforts to manipulate the outcome of the governorship election and appealed to the President to protect democracy in the state.

“I want to inform Mr President that my people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding the APC thugs to kill our people. Mr President, Osun is bleeding and your urgent intervention is necessary,” Adeleke said. He added that those allegedly planning to rig the election had underestimated the determination of Osun residents to defend their votes. “We seek nothing but free and fair elections,” he stated.

The governor further alleged that some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were invoking President Tinubu’s name while attacking his supporters and urged the President to caution key political figures, including Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola. Adeleke also claimed that both local and international observers were monitoring the security situation in Osun, alleging that reports of human rights abuses were attracting growing attention.

Supporting the governor’s claims, Director-General of the Imole Campaign, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that security agencies were targeting opposition supporters through arrests and intimidation but insisted the actions would not affect the outcome of the election. “Osun people are resolved to vote and defend their votes. The voters’ support for Governor Adeleke is because of his good performance. Killing innocent people only strengthens the resolve of the people to re-elect the governor,” he said.

Also speaking, Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Kolapo Alimi, alleged that several party leaders had been arrested overnight and that their properties were vandalised. Meanwhile, the party’s Osun Central senatorial candidate, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, claimed that more than 60 Accord Party supporters remained in detention, insisting that the alleged intimidation would not weaken the party’s resolve to secure victory at the polls.