The Osun Masterminds (TOM) has raised concerns over what it described as politically motivated arrests and selective law enforcement in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that the development poses a threat to constitutional democracy and peaceful elections.
The position was presented by the Executive Director of the organisation, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, during the July 2026 edition of the coalition’s monthly State of the State Address held on Thursday, where the group reviewed governance and socio-political developments in Osun State and Nigeria.
Addressing journalists, Oyedokun-Alli said reports available to the organisation indicated an increasing pattern of arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention and selective law enforcement allegedly targeting opposition figures, political activists, media commentators and other critical civic voices in the state.
He said the organisation had documented cases in which individuals expressing critical political opinions on social media or participating in peaceful political activities were allegedly arrested on what it described as trumped-up charges and detained without prompt arraignment before competent courts.
The Executive Director maintained that such practices were inconsistent with constitutional democracy, violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process if not addressed.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Osun State Police Command, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and other security agencies operating in the state, to remain neutral, professional and strictly guided by the rule of law throughout the election period.
According to him, every citizen arrested over any allegation should be treated in accordance with constitutional provisions, granted access to legal representation and family members, and arraigned before a court within the time prescribed by law where an offence has been established.
Beyond the issue of arrests, TOM also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Osun State, linking the rising incidents of cult violence, armed political thuggery and clashes among rival groups to the forthcoming governorship election.
The organisation warned that insecurity could create an atmosphere of fear capable of discouraging voters from participating in the election, adding that elections should remain a peaceful exercise rather than a contest driven by violence and intimidation.
It called on political parties to disband all informal security outfits, armed militias and political enforcement groups allegedly operating across the state, while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election security agencies to ensure adequate and impartial security deployment to polling units and collation centres.
The coalition also criticised what it described as persistent political interference in the affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), warning that the transport union should not be turned into an instrument for partisan interests.
It maintained that transport unions should be allowed to conduct their affairs independently in line with trade union laws, while governments at the state and local government levels should confine their roles to revenue regulation and public safety.
TOM further expressed concern over the increasing involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics, saying the trend was eroding public confidence in the traditional institution and undermining its role as a neutral custodian of peace and communal harmony.
The organisation appealed to royal fathers across Osun State to remain non-partisan and preserve the sanctity of their thrones, while urging political actors to refrain from influencing or seeking endorsements from traditional rulers.
Oyedokun-Alli called on residents of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to democratic values ahead of the governorship election.
The organisation also urged political actors, security agencies, traditional rulers and government officials to place peace, institutional integrity and the collective interest of the state above partisan considerations, assuring that it would continue to monitor developments before, during and after the election.