By John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council in Osun State has demanded the immediate sack of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, over his recent arrest by the police in connection with an alleged vote-buying case and the arrest of a wanted murder suspect at his residence.
It also accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly attempting to shield the suspect, Abiodun Oladele Arowomole, popularly known as “Abbey Ashipa,” from investigation and prosecution.
The APC made the allegations on Thursday at a press conference in Osogbo, where the Head of Media and Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, Remi Omowaiye, described the alleged defence of Igbalaye by the state government as unacceptable and a disregard for the rule of law.
Omowaiye challenged Adeleke to demonstrate his commitment to law and order by immediately relieving Igbalaye of his position and allowing security agencies to conduct their investigations without political interference.
The APC spokesman said the party was particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Arowomole, who, according to him, was allegedly wanted in connection with several killings in Osun State.
He alleged that Arowomole had been linked to the deaths of several persons, including Sheriff Oyewale, Muraina Olayiwola, popularly known as “Montanna,” Waheed “My Friend,” Tajudeen Rabiu, Ismahil Dudu and Kazeem Oyebamiji, popularly known as “Mosquito,” among other alleged supporters of the APC.
Omowaiye alleged that Adeleke had failed in his responsibility to protect lives and property in the state and accused the governor of mounting pressure on the police to secure the release of Ashipa.
He urged the governor to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations and determine whether the suspect had any case to answer.
“If Governor Ademola Adeleke is not an enabler and aider of criminality in the state, he should sack immediately Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government of Osun, in whose home a wanted murderer was arrested yesterday,” Omowaiye said.
He further urged Adeleke to “rise above pettiness, lower his desperation for a second term, and fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies and allow the investigative process to run its course.”
The APC campaign council argued that a government genuinely committed to peace and security should not be perceived as obstructing lawful investigations or shielding individuals facing allegations of serious crimes.
Omowaiye said the alleged involvement of a senior government official in the circumstances surrounding the arrest had raised questions that required clear answers from the state government.
He said the APC was calling on residents and other stakeholders to prevail on Adeleke to desist from what the party described as harbouring criminals, insisting that any attempt to interfere with lawful investigations would constitute an assault on the criminal justice system.
The APC spokesman also alleged that some individuals described by the party as political enforcers had been deployed to assist the governor’s re-election campaign.
He specifically mentioned Emir Ajagungbade, Nurudeen Alawonle, Abbey Ashipa and Solo Iwara, describing them in strong terms and alleging that their activities were connected to the political atmosphere in the state.
“A governor who is genuinely popular would not need the services of terrors such as Emir Ajagungbade, Nurudeen Alawonle, Abbey Ashipa, Solo Iwara, or other Janjaweed to secure electoral victory,” Omowaiye said.
The APC campaign council’s allegations come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the two leading political camps trading accusations over security, violence, vote buying and the conduct of law enforcement agencies.
The latest controversy also comes against the backdrop of heightened security operations in the state, with the police intensifying efforts to arrest suspects allegedly involved in political violence, vote buying and other offences ahead of the election.
While accusing the state government of attempting to interfere with investigations, the APC spokesman commended officers and men of the Osun State Police Command and the Inspector-General of Police Special Squad for what he described as their professionalism and commitment to ridding the state of criminals and alleged assassins.
He said the party would continue to monitor developments surrounding the arrest of the SSG and Ashipa, insisting that no individual, regardless of political affiliation or government position, should be above the law.
