Osun Guber: How Police Commissioner ordered SSG Igbalaye’s arrest at INEC meeting – Speaker
OSOGBO, Nigeria — The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has provided his perspective on the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, which took place on Wednesday.
According to reports from DAILY POST, the Osun State Police Command detained several individuals, including Igbalaye, during a sweep connected to an investigation into alleged vote-buying activities in Osogbo. The police operation yielded significant evidence, including millions of naira and various electoral materials.
“The operation was conducted following credible intelligence regarding a criminal gang operating in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo,” a police spokesperson said.
Egbedun, in a statement shared on X, criticized the actions of Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, labeling them as an abuse of power. He expressed concern over the potential implications for civic order.
He recounted a recent meeting of stakeholders from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during which he, the Deputy Governor, and Igbalaye were present. “We witnessed an incident where Commissioner Gotan was heckled by local citizens. After this, I noticed him making several phone calls,” Egbedun stated.
He reported that shortly thereafter, police officers arrived at Igbalaye’s residence, which prompted the Secretary to leave the INEC meeting. “He received a call notifying him of the police’s presence at his home,” Egbedun added.
Egbedun further relayed a conversation with Igbalaye, who claimed he was summoned to the State Criminal Investigation Department due to the discovery of 4 million naira and two voter cards linked to members of his political party.
“The justification for arresting a public official of his standing seems unclear,” Egbedun observed.
The Speaker elaborated on his own experiences concerning Commissioner Gotan, indicating a recent threat against his residence that had raised his security concerns. “Despite receiving credible intelligence about potential attacks, I was instructed to send my police officers for questioning instead,” he said.
Egbedun asserted that he would not be intimidated. “I am a proud son of Onikoyi and will not abandon my ancestral home because of anyone,” he said.
He criticized Gotan’s leadership, suggesting it has caused significant unrest in Osun State. “For weeks, I’ve heard that some of his officers are allegedly planning to implicate and arrest me,” he noted. Despite suggestions to leave for his safety, Egbedun expressed his resolve to remain in Osun.
He concluded with a call for intervention from the Inspector General of Police, urging an end to the hardships faced by Osun citizens under Gotan’s leadership. “The people of Osun are lawful and deserve professional policing that respects the rule of law,” he stated.
