The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has raised concerns over the alleged banishment of an Accord Party supporter from Ilase community in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.
The Imole Campaign Council, through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the affected woman, Adeola Adegoke, had her shop looted before she and her mother were summoned and subsequently ordered to leave the community.
According to Olajengbesi, Adegoke was allegedly pressured to support Senator Francis Fadahunsi and campaign for Wole Oke. He claimed that while she agreed to support Fadahunsi, she declined to campaign for Oke, after which she was allegedly ordered to leave Ilase.
The campaign council condemned the reported treatment, describing it as unacceptable in a democratic society where citizens should have the freedom to support political parties and candidates of their choice.
Olajengbesi said political differences should never be used as a reason to intimidate citizens, punish them or interfere with their livelihoods.
He specifically called on Fadahunsi and Oke to respond to the allegations because their names had been mentioned in connection with the incident.
The campaign spokesperson said that if the alleged actions were carried out without the knowledge or authorisation of the two politicians, they should take immediate steps to identify those responsible and call them to order.
He maintained that no Nigerian should be intimidated, banished or deprived of their means of livelihood because of their political preference.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State following the August 15 governorship election, which Adeleke won on the platform of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi, an APC senator representing Osun East, had previously attracted controversy after a video circulated in which he was alleged to have threatened members of the Accord Party. He later clarified that his use of the word “kill” referred to defeating the party politically through votes, rather than physical violence.
The senator also faced criticism after a video from election day showed him urging supporters at his polling unit in Ilase-Ijesa to monitor voters’ choices on their ballot papers. The incident generated further allegations of voter intimidation from the Adeleke camp.
The latest banishment allegation has not been independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Fadahunsi or Oke to the claims at the time of the report.
The Adeleke campaign nevertheless urged political actors in the state to respect citizens’ rights and ensure that political disagreements do not escalate into intimidation, harassment or persecution.
