Osun National, State Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Plot To Derail Governorship Election, Demand CP’s Redeployment

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

Members of the National Assembly and the Osun State House of Assembly on Friday alleged a coordinated plot to plunge Osun State into violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately redeploy the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan over alleged partisanship and failure to curb political violence.

The Accord National and State Assembly Caucus, made up of seven members of the National Assembly and 25 members of the State Assembly, while addressing a press conference on Friday, accused Gotan of being an willing accomplice in the recent attacks on Accord members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, read the text of the media briefing held in Osogbo, capital of the state, which was signed by Lere Oyewumi, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Bamidele Salam,

The lawmakers claimed to have received credible intelligence suggesting that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, and leaders of the party had concluded plans to orchestrate large-scale violence across the state as the governorship election draws near.

According to them, the alleged attacks would target members and supporters of the Accord Party, disrupt campaign activities and peaceful processions, and destroy billboards, vehicles and other property belonging to prominent party leaders.

They also alleged that the plan included possible high-profile assassinations aimed at creating widespread insecurity that could pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency before the August 15 governorship election.

“This is not political speculation or hearsay. We consider the information before us serious enough to warrant immediate public attention and preventive action by relevant security agencies,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers further alleged that the ultimate objective was to create chaos that could be used as a pretext to pressure the Federal Government into declaring a state of emergency in Osun State and appointing an administrator ahead of the election.

The lawmakers also claimed that a prominent APC chieftain from Osun East Senatorial District recently told some traditional rulers that the party was determined to secure victory in the election “by all means possible,” likening the governorship ambition of its candidate to the biblical account of people who broke through a roof to achieve their objective.

They argued that the APC had allegedly become apprehensive about its electoral prospects and was resorting to violence instead of allowing the electorate to determine the outcome through the ballot.

Describing the alleged development as a threat to democracy, the lawmakers said, “We reject this dangerous path and call on all security agencies to act before innocent lives are lost.”

The lawmakers also accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of failing to respond effectively to incidents of political violence, alleging that the police command had become partisan in handling security matters.

Questioning the police’s response to previous attacks, the lawmakers said, “How is it that perpetrators of attacks carried out in broad daylight and captured on video are still walking freely without arrest? This has emboldened criminal elements and heightened fear among residents.”

They further alleged that the Commissioner of Police had attended only two meetings of the State Security Council since assuming office on May 11, 2025, while accusing him of attempting to weaken the state’s Amotekun Corps at a time of increasing security challenges.

Citing recent incidents, the lawmakers alleged that an Accord member, Kolade Eluyera, was killed in Irewole Local Government Area, while the party’s chairman in Osogbo Local Government Area, Asimiyu Ajibola, was shot multiple times on June 3 and remained hospitalised.

They also claimed that several Accord supporters were attacked in Ile-Ife, Owode-Ede and Osogbo for wearing party-branded caps.

The lawmakers therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, alleging that he had demonstrated partisanship and was incapable of providing effective security for residents.

“We respectfully urge the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police without delay in the interest of justice, professionalism and public confidence,” they said.

They also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly linked to attacks on Accord members and supporters across the state within the last three months.

The lawmakers further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies in Osun to remain neutral, professional and uncompromising in tackling electoral violence before, during and after the governorship election.

In addition, the lawmakers urged civil society organisations, the media, the National Peace Committee and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun as the state prepares for the August 15 governorship poll.

Maintaining that residents desired peace, the lawmakers said, “The people of Osun want peace. They want to exercise their democratic right through the ballot box, not through violence, intimidation or bloodshed.”

They urged all stakeholders to work towards ensuring that the forthcoming governorship election is conducted in a peaceful, free and credible atmosphere
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