Osun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council in Osun has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to sack the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, following his recent arrest over alleged vote-buying and harbouring a wanted murder suspect.
The council described the defence of the SSG’s arrest as shameful and a disregard for the rule of law, insisting that Governor Adeleke should remove Igbalaye from office and stop efforts aimed at securing the release of Abiodun Oladele Arowomole, popularly known as Abbey Ashipa, who was arrested alongside him.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Remi Omowaiye, alleged that Governor Adeleke, despite failing to protect the lives and property of residents, was mounting pressure on the police to release Abbey Ashipa, whom he claimed was wanted over the alleged murder of no fewer than 20 people in Osun State.
Omowaiye further alleged that Abbey Ashipa had been linked to the killings of Sheriff Oyewale, Muraina Olayiwola, popularly known as “Montanna”, Waheed “My Friend”, Tajudeen Rabiu, Ismahil Dudu, Kazeem Oyebamiji, also known as “Mosquito”, and other APC supporters.
He urged residents of the state to prevail on Governor Adeleke to desist from allegedly harbouring criminals, maintaining that such actions amounted to an assault on the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
According to him, any government genuinely committed to peace and security should not be seen obstructing lawful investigations or shielding anyone from accountability.
Omowaiye maintained that if Governor Adeleke was not aiding criminality in the state, he should immediately relieve Igbalaye of his appointment following the arrest of a wanted suspect at his residence.
He also urged the governor to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and allow ongoing investigations to proceed without interference, while alleging that a genuinely popular governor would not require the services of individuals he described as political thugs to secure electoral victory.
The APC campaign spokesman, however, commended officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Osun State Command, and the Inspector General of Police Special Squad for what he described as their professionalism and commitment to ridding the state of criminals and assassins.
Guardian