Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over an alleged police directive to arrest leaders of the Accord Party in the state and move them to Abuja, where they would allegedly remain in detention until after Saturday’s governorship election.
Adeleke made the allegation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, where he addressed what he described as two major developments capable of threatening the political atmosphere ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor claimed that credible information had reached him indicating that a police signal had been sent to Osun directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders.
“We have credible reports that a police signal has arrived in Osun directing immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders. We also know the directive includes that they should be taken to Abuja immediately and should not be released until Monday,” Adeleke said.
According to him, he had already spoken with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, over the alleged directive, urging the police authorities to immediately clarify whether such an order exists.
Adeleke warned that if the reported directive is genuine, it would amount to an abuse of power and could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
“I have spoken to the Inspector General of Police about the reported directive to arrest Accord Party leaders. But I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal, and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” he said.
The governor further alleged that the arrest of Accord Party leaders on the eve of the election could create an unfair advantage for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and interfere with the democratic process.
“I task the IGP to issue a statement to assure Nigerians that no order has been given to arrest Accord Party leaders in Osun State,” Adeleke said.
He also claimed that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were already being held in police detention without charges, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democratic society.
“It is disturbing that we still have over 62 Accord Party leaders held in illegal police detention without any charges against them. This is not democracy,” the governor said.
Adeleke also raised concerns over a viral video allegedly showing Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, making threats against Accord Party members and their families.
The governor alleged that Fadahunsi called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and claimed that the senator threatened their wives and children should the leaders themselves be difficult to locate.
“The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders and their families,” Adeleke alleged.
“In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children,” he added.
Adeleke described the alleged remarks as far more serious than ordinary political confrontation, arguing that they could constitute a national security concern.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
The governor disclosed that he had reported the matter to the Inspector-General of Police and demanded an immediate investigation into the senator’s alleged comments.
According to Adeleke, the IGP confirmed the video and assured him that immediate action would be taken.
He also accused the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of carrying out what he described as “illegal operations” against Accord Party leaders across various local government areas in Osun State.
Adeleke called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately halt what he termed the alleged unlawful operations and ensure that all security actions are conducted within the confines of the law.
He further called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate and arrest Fadahunsi over what he described as alleged incitement to genocide against people in Ijesaland and Osun State.
“We ask that the police and the DSS immediately arrest Senator Fadahunsi for his incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesaland and Osun State,” Adeleke said.
The governor maintained that decisive action by the security agencies would demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.
He urged the police and other security agencies to remain neutral and professional, insisting that due process and fair policing must prevail before, during and after Saturday’s governorship election.
The allegations come just days before Osun State heads to the polls, placing renewed scrutiny on the conduct of security agencies, the treatment of political actors and the credibility of the electoral process.