Adewale Olumide Egbedun, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has provided his perspective on the recent detention of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye. The Osun State Police Command previously announced that multiple individuals were taken into custody in Osogbo during an investigation into alleged vote-buying, noting the seizure of significant cash and electoral items.
According to Speaker Egbedun, the arrest was a personal vendetta by Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan. He explained that while attending an INEC stakeholders’ meeting, the Commissioner was mocked by attendees. When the SSG laughed at the reaction, Egbedun claims the Commissioner immediately made phone calls, correctly predicting that Igbalaye would be targeted next. Shortly after, the SSG was notified that police were waiting at his home and was subsequently asked to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department regarding cash and voter cards allegedly found at his property.
Egbedun further criticized Commissioner Gotan, citing a separate incident where his own security details were suddenly recalled during a period of threatened violence against his home. The Speaker stated he refused to be intimidated by these actions. He urged the Inspector General of Police to remove the Commissioner, arguing that his conduct has been unprofessional and harmful to the peace of Osun State.
