The Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals and Multilateral Relations to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Bamikole Omisore, has alleged that Senator Francis Fadahunsi masterminded his arrest on election day.

In a statement on Monday, Omisore said soldiers arrested him while he was visiting several Registration Area Centres of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his local government to monitor electoral operations.

He said before his arrest, he observed some thugs allegedly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempting to forcibly gain entry to areas where sensitive electoral materials were being stored. “The Civil Defence operatives on duty handled this professionally and prevented a breakdown of law and order,” he said.

“After the thugs blocked the road and said no one would leave, one of the thugs made a call, and within 20 minutes, a military convoy arrived, led by a man in civilian attire identified as Wemimo, claiming to be from ‘Presidency’. Civil Defense on duty refused him entry to the RAC, then Wemimo spotted me outside and then proceeded to show a uniformed LT Colonel a photograph of me, and said: ‘He is on the list of those we were asked to pick.’ during that commotion a man later identified as Esho, a political thug that accompanied Wemimo to the venue slapped me, the military officers immediately challenged him.

“I was then told I would need to accompany them to the military barracks in Ede, 45 minutes away from my local government. The Lt Colonel who was with Wemimo was very cordial; he offered me to enter his Hilux with him seating next to me and Wemimo in front with a driver.”

Omisore said that during the drive, Wemimo admitted to him directly that he was acting on orders from Senator Fadahunsi to remove him from circulation during the election. According to Omisore, this was a calculated political move, not a mistake.

“Upon arriving at the barracks, my phones were confiscated. I was not charged with any crime or electoral violation. I was allowed to remain in my vehicle, which drove behind me after the arrest. I stayed overnight in my van with gallant and respectful military men guarding and monitoring me,” he said.

“Early the next morning, a Brigadier General called the guard on duty, apologised profusely, and stated explicitly that there was no legal basis for my detention. I was released immediately and offered military escort back to my local government, so I could cast my vote. The action which Senator Fadahunsi was trying to prevent was with the hope that we would not update the world with details of his atrocities and electoral malpractices on social media.”

Omisore alleged that Senator Fadahunsi orchestrated this to suppress his participation in election monitoring for Governor Adeleke. “This is the same Senator who has previously made inflammatory statements about violence against Accord members,” he said.