Police Defend Arrest of Accord Candidate Popoola Alaba

The Osun State Police Command has defended the arrest of Popoola Alaba, the Accord House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, asserting that it was based on a petition dated July 4 alleging criminal offenses. This statement followed accusations from The Imole Campaign Council, which claimed Alaba and three other Accord members were unlawfully arrested during a meeting with party canvassers.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi stated that a joint team executed the arrest based on the petition referred to them. Ojelabi also reported that the individuals with Alaba attempted to resist the arrest, leading to an attack on police officers and damage to a police vehicle.

The Imole Campaign Council alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and accused Senator Francis Fadahunsi of orchestrating it to hinder Alaba's election activities. In response, Fadahunsi's media adviser, Sam Segun-Progress, rejected these claims as baseless and an attempt to damage the senator's reputation.