Osun Election: Accord Party Accuses IGP Disu of Ordering Member's Continued Detention

The Accord Party has accused the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, of directing the continued detention of one of its members, Popoola Alaba, despite claims that investigators found no evidence linking him to any criminal offence.

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The allegation was made by the spokesperson for the Accord Party Governorship Campaign Council in Osun State, Pelumi Olajengbesi, during an interview on ARISE News while addressing the circumstances surrounding Alaba's arrest ahead of the state's governorship election.

Olajengbesi maintained that the allegations initially associated with Alaba, including claims that he was arrested with firearms, were unsupported by the officers investigating the matter.

According to him, Alaba was merely carrying out political mobilisation when security operatives apprehended him, insisting that no weapons or other incriminating items were recovered at the scene.

"If the police truly recovered firearms or any illegal items from him, such evidence should already be before Nigerians. 

"The continued silence only raises more questions," Olajengbesi said.

He further claimed that representatives of the party held discussions with officers handling the investigation and were allegedly informed that there was no formal petition against Alaba.

The Accord Party spokesman also alleged that investigators admitted nothing incriminating was found on the detained party member but said they were acting on directives to keep him in custody pending further instructions.

"Our understanding from those handling the case is that there is no complaint against him and nothing unlawful was recovered. 

"Yet, they insist they cannot release him because they are acting on higher orders," he alleged.

Olajengbesi described the situation as a serious concern for democratic participation, especially with political activities intensifying ahead of the Osun governorship election.

He challenged the Nigeria Police Force to publicly present any evidence supporting the allegations against Alaba if such evidence exists.

"We believe transparency is the only way to reassure the public. If there is credible evidence, it should be made available for everyone to see. Otherwise, justice must be allowed to take its course," he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the Accord Party spokesman.