The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he described as a wave of violence, killings, and alleged unlawful arrests targeting members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke alleged that seven Accord members had been killed over the past three months, more than 20 others had sustained gunshot injuries, while over 60 party members were being held in what he described as illegal police detention.

The governor accused some police personnel of allegedly collaborating with political thugs to intimidate opposition supporters, urging President Tinubu to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.

According to Adeleke, the continued bloodshed poses a serious threat to democracy and risks tarnishing the image of the President. He also appealed to the President to caution key political stakeholders, including Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, over the alleged escalation of political violence.

He further claimed that both local and international human rights organisations, as well as foreign diplomatic missions, were monitoring developments in the state due to reported allegations of human rights abuses.

The governor maintained that despite the alleged intimidation, Osun residents would resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the election and would insist that every legitimate vote counts.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Accord Party also alleged that several of their members had been arrested and their homes raided in recent days.

Speaking at the rally, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, claimed that arrests and shootings across parts of the state would not weaken public support for Governor Adeleke's re-election bid.

Deputy Director-General of the campaign, Hon. Kolapo Alimi, also alleged that more arrests of party leaders were imminent, insisting that the party would not be intimidated.

Similarly, Accord's Osun Central Senatorial candidate, Hon. Ganiyu Olaoluwa, alleged that over 60 party members remained in detention and vowed that the party would continue mobilising support for the governor despite the reported security challenges.

Following the rally, Governor Adeleke met with members of the Butchers Association and the Hausa community in Osogbo, who reportedly pledged their support for his re-election campaign.

The statement was contained in a release signed by the spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force and the individuals named in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims.