The Secretary to Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, has been release from detention by the Osun State Police Command.
Igbalaye who was arrested alongside five other persons on Wednesday at his residence in Osogbo the Osun State capital was released on Thursday afternoon after the action of the police raised concerns ahead of the scheduled governorship election in the state.
The Osun State Police Command spokesman, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the release of the SSG in a chat with journalists saying, “I can only tell you that the SSG, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, has been released this afternoon, and the investigation is still ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the Accord Party, the ruling party in the state has called for the immediate sack of the commissioner of police in the state, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
The party in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Chairman, Barr Maxwell Mgbudem, also demanded the immediate release of its detained members alongside the removal of CP Gotan.
The party stated that the police have been harassing its members in the state despite their peaceful conduct, noting that the action of the police is capable of putting the August 15, 2026 scheduled governorship election in Osun State in jeopardy.
According to the party, “The danger is very glaring and must be forestalled immediately by all stakeholders in the electoral process to save our hard earned democracy,” a statement signed Accord said it had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of its leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on Imole Campaign Council and party’s offices, destruction of campaign billboards etc, by thugs associated with the APC.
“These attacks were duly reported to the Police and other security agencies in the state, sadly none of these known hoodlums was arrested let alone prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
There have been series of violent clashes and acts involving political thugs in the Southwest state ahead of the election which many pundits believe is a straight fight between the Accord party and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking a second term while the APC is hoping to recapture the state it lost in the last election.