"Don't Politicise Security": Oke Campaign Challenges Imole Spokesman, Demands Answers Over Firearm Arrest

 The Director-General of the Osun State Governorship Campaign Council for Hon. Oluwole Oke has accused the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, of politicising what it described as a serious security matter, insisting that issues involving alleged unlawful possession of firearms and public safety should not be reduced to political propaganda.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Media Aide and Media & Publicity Directorate, Omolebi-Sunday Segun Tunde, the campaign faulted Olajengbesi's criticism of the ongoing police investigation, arguing that the focus should remain on the facts established by law enforcement rather than political narratives.

According to the statement, the Nigeria Police arrested Oriyomi Olalekan in possession of what it described as a Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and subsequently paraded him as part of its investigation. The campaign stressed that these actions were undertaken by the police and not by Hon. Oluwole Oke.

The campaign challenged the Imole Campaign Council to address what it described as critical questions surrounding the case, including whether the suspect was arrested with the firearm, who legally owns the weapon, whether its ownership has been disputed, whether the suspect denied the alleged cult affiliation identified by the police, and whether he alleged that Hon. Oluwole Oke supplied the firearm or engaged him for security purposes.

It also questioned whether any competent court or authorised investigative body had concluded that the police fabricated the case, as alleged by Olajengbesi.

The statement further alleged that Hon. Oluwole Oke has become the target of a sustained campaign of political attacks by the PDP/ACCORD alliance because of what it described as his growing political influence ahead of the Osun governorship election.

Despite what it termed coordinated attempts to discredit him, the campaign maintained that Oke remains committed to supporting the election of the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and would not be distracted by political intimidation or propaganda.

The campaign also criticised what it described as the tendency of the Osun State Government and some of its supporters to dismiss allegations of political violence before security agencies conclude their investigations. It urged the government to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into all security-related allegations, regardless of the political affiliations of those involved.

The statement further accused Olajengbesi of inconsistency, noting that he had recently praised the Nigeria Police Force for professionalism but was now questioning the integrity of the same institution following the arrest and parade of suspects linked to the alleged assassination attempt on Hon. Oluwole Oke.

According to the campaign, Hon. Oke has consistently respected the rule of law by allowing security agencies to investigate allegations against him without resorting to media campaigns, citing the killing of Ajayi Aderogba as an example.

It argued that the same respect for due process should prevail in the current investigation, adding that anyone disputing the police findings should present credible evidence before the appropriate investigative authorities or a court of competent jurisdiction rather than relying on media statements.

The campaign concluded by urging all political actors to refrain from undermining ongoing criminal investigations, insisting that security should never become a partisan issue. It called on all parties to allow security agencies to perform their constitutional responsibilities without political interference, stating that truth, due process and justice remain essential to safeguarding peace and stability in Osun State.

Signed:

Omolebi-Sunday Segun Tunde

Senior Media Aide, Media & Publicity Directorate

For: Hon. Oluwole Oke, Director-General, Osun State Gubernatorial Campaign Council.

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