Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has accused the police of failing to arrest or prosecute those responsible for the killing of eight members of the Accord Party in the state, alleging that the attacks were politically motivated ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state

The governor made the allegation while addressing members of the National Peace Committee during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the committee’s chairman, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Chief of Army Staff Martin Luther Agwai, Matthew Hassan Kukah, and John Onaiyekan.

Adeleke, who is Accord Party governorship candidate, appealed to the committee to intervene, warning of what he described as an “impending police-induced genocide” in Osun State before, during and after the election.

According to the governor, violence in the state has escalated over the past three months, with eight Accord Party members allegedly killed and more than 20 others sustaining gunshot injuries.

“In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest till date. The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs with crimes committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet,” Adeleke said.

He alleged that top government officials were being harassed while more than 60 Accord Party leaders had been arrested, transferred to Abuja and remanded in correctional facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa State without being charged in courts in Osun.

The governor questioned why suspects arrested in Osun were being moved outside the state despite the presence of both Federal and State High Courts.

“Under which law can a state police commissioner take instructions from Mr. Gboyega Oyetola to arrest Accord Party members in Osun State and move them to Abuja and be held in prisons without any charge?” he asked.

Adeleke urged the National Peace Committee to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police to return all detained party members to Osun State and ensure that any prosecution, where necessary, is conducted in courts within the state.

He further accused Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun APC and the state police command of orchestrating intimidation and violence against his supporters, alleging there was “an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after Osun elections.”

The governor called on police authorities to maintain neutrality, saying other security agencies operating in the state had conducted themselves professionally.

“We seek free and fair polls where people’s will should be supreme. Our people will severely resist rigging in all forms,” he said.

While commending Accord Party members and residents of the state for refraining from reprisals, Adeleke said their restraint was rooted in respect for the rule of law rather than weakness.

He maintained that his administration’s demands remained impartial policing, a fair electoral process and respect for the will of voters at the polls.