Osogbo — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that the people of the state will not be intimidated or influenced by external forces ahead of the August 15 governorship election, following the arrest and subsequent release of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, over alleged vote-buying.
Igbalaye was arrested alongside five other suspects after operatives of the Osun State Police Command raided his private residence in Osogbo. According to the police, officers recovered Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), cash, and a voters’ register during the operation.
However, the police confirmed on Thursday that the SSG had been released while investigations into the allegations continue.
Although Governor Adeleke did not directly address Igbalaye’s detention, he maintained that no amount of intimidation or harassment would weaken the resolve of Osun residents ahead of the election.
“Throughout the history of Osun State, our people have never bowed to intimidation. We are resilient, determined, and fiercely protective of our rights,” the governor said in a statement.
He expressed confidence that the will of the electorate would prevail, claiming that independent opinion polls indicate strong support for his administration due to its performance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare, and pension reforms.
“By the grace of God and with the continued support of the good people of Osun, our second term will build on these achievements and deliver even greater progress for every community. The best days of Osun are still ahead,” Adeleke added.
Police confirm release
Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Igbalaye had been released from custody, stressing that investigations remain ongoing.
“I can only tell you that the SSG, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, has been released this afternoon, and investigation is still ongoing,” Ojelabi said.
The police identified the other suspects arrested at the residence as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” whom the command described as a wanted murder suspect, alongside Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi.
APC demands SSG’s resignation
Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for Igbalaye’s resignation, accusing him of harbouring wanted criminals.
The party’s Media Committee Chairman, Remi Omowaye, urged Governor Adeleke to uphold his earlier commitment to support law enforcement by allowing a thorough investigation into all suspects.
The APC also alleged that the governor was attempting to secure the release of a suspect identified by the police as being on its wanted list, a claim yet to be substantiated by authorities.
Speaker alleges plot to arrest him
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that there were plans by the police to implicate and arrest him before the governorship election.
In a statement, Egbedun described the arrest of the SSG as an abuse of power and claimed he had received intelligence over the past two weeks suggesting that some police officers were planning his arrest.
He further alleged that his disagreement with the state Commissioner of Police began after he challenged an alleged plan by political thugs to attack his residence.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on August 15, with political tensions rising as major parties intensify campaigns across the state.
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