Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in what he described as a wave of political violence, killings and alleged unlawful arrests targeting members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke alleged that no fewer than seven members of the Accord Party had been killed in the last three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries. He further claimed that over 60 party supporters were being held in what he described as illegal police detention.

The governor accused some police personnel of allegedly collaborating with political thugs to intimidate opposition supporters, warning that the development poses a serious threat to democracy and could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.

Adeleke urged President Tinubu to ensure that security agencies discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally and impartially, stressing the need for a peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral process in the state.

According to him, the continued violence could damage Nigeria’s democratic image if urgent steps are not taken to halt the alleged attacks and intimidation.

The governor also called on the President to caution key political stakeholders, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, over what he described as the growing political tension in the state.

He further claimed that local and international human rights organisations, as well as members of the diplomatic community, were closely monitoring developments in Osun over allegations of human rights abuses.

Despite the alleged intimidation, Adeleke maintained that Osun people would not be discouraged from exercising their democratic rights, insisting that every lawful vote must count.

Also addressing the rally, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, alleged that the arrests and shootings of Accord supporters would not weaken public support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Similarly, the campaign’s Deputy Director-General, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, claimed that more arrests of party leaders were imminent but insisted that the party would not be intimidated.

The Accord Party’s Osun Central Senatorial candidate, Hon. Ganiyu Olaoluwa, also alleged that more than 60 party members remained in detention, expressing confidence that the party would continue mobilising support across the state despite the reported security challenges.

Following the rally, Governor Adeleke met with members of the Butchers Association and the Hausa community in Osogbo, who reportedly pledged their support for his re-election campaign.

The allegations were contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, and other individuals mentioned in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims.