Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A cloud of uncertainty descended over Osun State on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as the governorship election got underway, with a top aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke alleging that security operatives had arrested one of the governor's associates and two others in Ile-Ife, with their whereabouts remaining unknown. The developments, which unfolded on the morning of the election, have heightened tensions and raised fresh concerns about the conduct of security agencies in one of Nigeria's most fiercely contested off-cycle polls.
Olalekan Badmus, Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Adeleke, made the allegations in a series of posts on his X handle on Saturday morning, accompanied by video clips purportedly showing security operatives around some of the affected locations. According to Badmus, military personnel allegedly arrested Mr Banks Omisore and two other individuals in Ile-Ife on Friday night, with their whereabouts remaining unknown as of Saturday morning. "Military men believed to be working for the APC arrested @MrBanksOmisore and two others at Ife yesterday night. Current location is unknown!" Badmus wrote, tagging the handle of the arrested individual. He further identified Omisore as a Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals to the governor, claiming he was arrested illegally and remained in military custody at a cantonment in Ede. "Bamkole Omisore, SA SDG, arrested illegally last night and still detained at military cantonment, Ede," he alleged.
The governor's aide also claimed that the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, was surrounded by police personnel. "@AOEgbedun house under siege by men of the @PoliceNG. @PremiumTimesng is this an election or coup?" Badmus wrote in a separate post.
In another post, Badmus accused police officers of disrupting the distribution of election materials at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ife East Local Government Area, Ward 10 (Modakeke Ward 3), alleging that they fired tear gas and carted away materials. He directly addressed the Nigeria Police Force, writing: "@PoliceNG, there is an allegation that some of your men in this video just invaded a RAC centre in Ife East Local Government Ward 10 (Modakeke Ward 3) and fired tear gas to disrupt distribution of election materials at a RAC centre. The materials have been allegedly carted away. Madness This is what you brought security to osun? [@TunjiDisu1]".
The Imole Campaign Council, the re-election vehicle of Governor Adeleke, also raised the alarm. The council's spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said in a statement that soldiers arrived in more than 15 trucks on Friday night and descended on the homes of Accord Party leaders in several parts of Osun State, with the Osun East Senatorial District bearing the brunt of the operation. According to the council, Bankole Omisore, who serves as a Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke, was arrested during the raids and was still being held at a military cantonment in Ede as of Saturday morning. The council also said Adeyemi Idowu, described as a top Accord Party campaigner, remained in detention following the same operation.
The Imole Campaign Council further alleged that the soldiers were directed by one ASP Wemimo, a police officer it linked to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, and that Sanya Omirin, an APC chieftain who represents the Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was present during the operation. Describing the alleged arrests as "shocking and undemocratic," the council called on the Nigerian Army to remain neutral throughout the electoral process. "The Imole Campaign Council has called on the Nigerian Army not to allow its noble self to become pawns in the hands of desperate power-seeking politicians," Olajengbesi said in the statement. The council also addressed the Chief of Army Staff directly, saying: "We call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, to act in accordance with the extant laws of the land."
The allegations could not be independently verified at the time of this report. The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army had not issued official statements regarding the alleged arrests as of Saturday morning. The development unfolded on the same day Osun residents went to the polls to elect the state's next governor, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and 13 other candidates. The election has been marked by heightened political tension and allegations of violence, intimidation, and electoral irregularities. The police had earlier imposed a statewide restriction of movement from midnight on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday as part of security measures to ensure a peaceful election. The alleged arrests of Governor Adeleke's associate and the reported siege on the Speaker's residence have added a new layer of tension to an already volatile electoral process, raising concerns about the impartiality of security agencies and the integrity of the election.
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