Osun: TOP Condemns Alleged Intimidation Of Members By Security Operatives, Govt Officials

The Osun Progressives (TOP), a Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned alleged systematic attempt to intimidate its members with state security apparatus by some government officials.

This was contained in a statement signed the TOP Chairman, Adelowo Adebiyi, and made available to CityMirrorNews, in Osogbo, on Thursday.

TOP was reacting to the alleged arrest of one of its member, Tunde Boladale, by the security operatives for allegedly making statement against the state governor.

The group alleged the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Yemi Lawal for being the brain behind alleged persecution of Boladale.

Both Boladale, a former councillor and Lawal hail from Isokan, local government of the state.

“We note with sadness that democratic norms are being violated by this tendency and we state that it will never serve anyone with good purpose.

“A staunch member of the Osun Progressives, Mr. Tunde Boladale is currently being held at the State Security Service (SSS) where he had reported since 12noon, based on invitation by the state director yesterday.

“It is rather unfortunate that a situation like this is happening to a member of APC who just concluded his service to his local government, Isokan, as a Councillor.

“Mr Boladale had been invited to a meeting by the state commissioner for youth and sports, Mr Yemi Lawal who hailed from the same local government where he directed him to renounce his membership of the Osun Progressives (TOP).

“Boladale however refused saying that since Lawal will not renounce his association with Otunba Omisore who brought him from SDP to APC, he can not renounce his relationship with Aregbesola.

“The next thing was the invitation by the director of SSS where he was alleged to have made some statements against the Governor and asked about his membership of the T.O.P.

“While denying making any statement against the Governor, Boladale affirmed his membership of T.O.P and unalloyed loyalty to Aregbesola who he said did a lot of good things that he appreciates.

“The Osun Progressives (TOP) condemned in strong terms, the persecution of Boladale for holding view and the assault on his freedom of association.

“Indeed, we consider such steps as anti democracy and a serious negotiation of the provisions of the constitution.

“We note that the invitation of the SSS was premature and unnecessary as a report made to them much earlier of a state Commissioner vomiting verbal assault on video has not attracted their attention till now.

“We smell bias and bad faith in the prompt invitation and detention of Tunde Boladale as an example of what to expect by the SSS by anybody with opposing views to the present government.”