Imole Campaign Council  has submitted petitions to the National Human Rights Commission over the alleged intimidation and prolonged detention of its members without charges ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship poll.

Popoola Alabama, a staunch supporter of Governor Ademola Adeleke, was said to be arrested while campaigning for the governor.

The Council spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, decried Mr Alabama’s arrest as unlawful, claiming that the reckless abuse and intimidation of Mr Adeleke’s supporters must end.

“We visited the police and asked for the exhibit with which he was arrested,” said Mr Olajengbesi. “We were informed that he was arrested while campaigning and that nothing was found on him, which is why he has not been charged in court.”

He demanded an explanation for keeping Mr Alabama behind bars without charges.

“If there are firearms found on Mr Alabama, let the police produce them before the public. You cannot arrest an innocent citizen, obtain a detention order and keep him in custody without any evidence or explanation,” he said.

Mr Olajengbesi asked the human rights commission to defend the rights of citizens and investigate the detention of the governor’s supporters.

“We have come to the National Human Rights Commission to place before the commission the reckless abuse of human rights that is happening currently in Osun State just because elections are approaching,” he added.

The council also sought the assurances of the inspector-general of police that the elections would be credible and violence-free.

“We want the Inspector-General of Police to assure Nigerians and the people of Osun State that the coming election will be credible and that the police still have the capacity to provide security for the safety of the people of the state. We have every reason to be worried about the position of the Inspector-General of Police,” Mr Olajengbesi said.

He further urged President Bola Tinubu to uphold the principle of fairness in the election.

“The President must not allow the Nigerian Police to become an instrument of oppression. All government institutions are under his control and must operate within the law.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) linked to the ruling 

All Progressives Congress (APC), have also allegedly harassed state-appointed officials to commandeer motor parks across the state. 

Also police officers besieged the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and took him alongside five others into custody. The officers accused Mr Igbalaye of vote-buying. He was later released. 

The police said items seized from his residence include a Dynabook laptop, N4.8 million in cash, printer, photocopying machine, two voter cards and a voter register for Wards 1 to 15 of the Osogbo local government area.