Political tension is mounting ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election following the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five others.
The Osun State Police Command said officers raided Igbalaye’s residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday night.
Police said they recovered about ₦4.8 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a laptop, a photocopier and a printer. The items are being investigated as possible evidence of electoral offences, including vote-buying.
The police also disclosed that one of the suspects arrested alongside the SSG was already on its watchlist over an unrelated criminal matter.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s camp rejected the allegations, describing the operation as politically motivated. The government claimed the police carried out the raid without a valid search warrant.
Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi alleged that the police also searched the homes of several state commissioners, calling the action part of a wider campaign to intimidate government officials.
Adeleke’s campaign further alleged that dozens of Accord Party members were detained in what it described as an attempt to influence the election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), however, backed the police operation, praising the investigation and urging security agencies to pursue all credible reports of electoral malpractice.
Governor Adeleke has vowed not to be intimidated, insisting his administration will remain focused as the governorship election draws closer.
