Osun Governor Adeleke Under Fire for Ordering Arrest of Osogbo Community Leaders

Osogbo, Osun State – Governor Ademola Adeleke has come under fire for ordering the arrest of Osogbo community leaders on the Eid-el-Kabir.

The leaders, including former Senate spokesperson Senator Ajibola Basiru SRJ, the Grand Imam of Osun State Baba Animashaun, and the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land Baba Tunde Badmus, were arrested on the orders of the governor on Tuesday, June 28, 2023.

The arrests were made as the leaders were preparing to observe their Ileya solat at the Osogbo Eid ground. The gate of the ground was also locked by the police, preventing the leaders from exiting before they were transferred to the Police Headquarters in Osun.

The arrests have been condemned by many people, who have accused the Governor of using his power to intimidate and harass his opponents.

“This is a clear case of abuse of power,” said Wale Popoola. “The Governor has no right to order the arrest of these leaders simply because they disagree with him. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t any indication of the Governor coming as there were no presence of any of his Protocols. Only if it is correct to say that Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji has been appointed as the Protocol Officer to Demola Adeleke.”

Another critic, Yusuf Alaba said that the arrests were “an act of desperation” by the governor, who is facing mounting pressure from his opponents.

One of the Governor’s aid who pleaded anonymity has defended his actions, saying that the leaders were arrested for “security reasons.” However, he has not provided any evidence to support this claim.

The arrests have cast a shadow over Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Osogbo. Many people are now afraid to speak out against the Governor, for fear of being arrested themselves.

The arrests are also a sign of the growing political tension in Osun State. The state is due to hold a Governorship election in 2026, and the arrests are seen as a sign that the Governor is preparing for a tough fight.

The arrests of the Osogbo community leaders are a serious matter. They are a clear example of how power can be abused, and they have a chilling effect on the citizens. The Governor must be held accountable for his actions.