Campaign council accuses police of harassing supporters, while Force spokesperson says arrests must be based on complaints or court orders.
The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the police of arresting and harassing its supporters ahead of the August 15 governorship election, alleging that the actions are aimed at intimidating members of the party.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign council specifically cited the arrest of state Commissioner, Mayowa Adejoorin, alleging that he was subjected to degrading treatment while in police custody.
The council condemned what it described as a “crackdown” on its members and called on the media, civil society organisations, election observers and the international community to monitor developments in the state.
Reacting, the Force spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, denied that the police were arresting people because of their political affiliations, saying arrests must be based on complaints, petitions or court orders.
According to him, belonging to the Accord Party or any other political party is not an offence and cannot, on its own, justify an arrest.
“Before people are arrested like that, a petition must have been written, or a complaint must have been made. So what complaint was made? It is not an offence to belong to a political party,” Iniedu said.
He added that some individuals could have been arrested or remanded pursuant to court orders, which the police were legally required to obey.
“The IG cannot give anybody directives to arrest anybody because they belong to a political party,” he added.
The allegations and denial come amid heightened political activity and security concerns as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.