Osun Governorship Poll: Campaign Council Demands Release of Arrested Adeleke Supporters

With the Osun State governorship election set for August 16, tension is building around the contest between the ruling APC and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s camp. The Imole Campaign Council, which is backing Adeleke’s re-election bid, has called on security agencies to immediately and unconditionally release a traditional chief and dozens of the governor’s supporters it says were detained by the police in the run-up to the poll.

The council alleges the arrests are part of a wider pattern of intimidation targeting the governor’s base ahead of the election, and has urged INEC and security agencies to guarantee a level playing field. The APC has not directly responded to the allegations, but the state has seen a heavy security presence in recent weeks as both major parties mobilise for what is expected to be a closely fought race.

Analysts say the outcome in Osun will be closely watched as an early signal of political momentum heading into the 2027 general election cycle, with both the APC and opposition coalitions treating the state as a test of strength.