OsunDecides2026: Adeleke’s men, Assembly Speaker arrested as others go missing

While the voting process was ongoing for the Osun State gubernatorial poll on Saturday, one of the aides to Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the security agencies of arresting some people linked to the governor and besieging the home of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.

This claim was made by Olalekan Badmus, who is the Special Assistant on Digital Media to Adeleke through a post he shared on his X account along with some videos of security agencies at the locations in question.

Badmus said that the military arrested Banks Omisore and two other persons in Ile-Ife on Friday night and their whereabouts are not known as of Saturday.

“Military men believed to be working for the APC arrested @MrBanksOmisore and two others at Ife yesterday night. Current location is unknown!” he wrote. Campaigns& Elections

He also alleged that Bamkole Omisore, identified as a Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, was arrested and remained in military custody at a military cantonment in Ede.

“Bamkole Omisore, SA SDG, arrested illegally last night and still detained at military cantonment, Ede,” Badmus claimed.

The governor’s aide further alleged 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?” he wrote.

Badmus also accused police officers of allegedly disrupting the distribution of election materials at a Registration Area Centre in Ife East Local Government Area.

He claimed that some officers invaded the RAC centre in Modakeke Ward 3, fired tear gas and allegedly carted away election materials.

“Please investigate and act now to protect a credible electoral process in Osun State,” he appealed to the police.

The allegations emerged as voters across the state arrived at polling units to participate in the governorship election, which has attracted significant political attention.

However, the video clips shared by Badmus could not independently establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrests, security operation or reported disruption at the RAC centre.

The Nigeria Police Force, military authorities and the All Progressives Congress had yet to issue official responses to the allegations as of the time of filing the report.

The development comes amid heightened political tensions in Osun, with political parties and civil society groups calling on security agencies to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.

INEC had earlier assured voters and other stakeholders of its preparedness for the election, while security agencies pledged to maintain law and order throughout the exercise.

The latest allegations are, however, expected to heighten concerns among stakeholders over the conduct and credibility of the electoral process