A human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has raised an alarm over an alleged plot to arrest him in Osun State, claiming the directive came from former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
In a statement issued on Friday night, Olajengbesi said senior police contacts informed him he should leave the state immediately.
“I have just been informed by some senior police friends that I should leave Osun State immediately, as former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has instructed that the Inspector General of Police must get a good reason to arrest me before tomorrow morning,” he said.
Olajengbesi accused Oyetola, who now holds a ministerial position, of abusing power.
“I think Gboyega Oyetola is overrating the ministerial office that he is occupying as though it is God’s Kingdom,” he stated. “Those who know him should tell him that there have been more powerful people in this country before, people who once believed their power would last forever. Today, many of them are nowhere to be found. Some are even in jail, to the glory of God.”
He further alleged that the influence being deployed in Osun is temporary. “Whatever power he has in his hands today, which is being used to oppress and intimidate the people of Osun State, is only temporary.”
The lawyer referenced the 2022 governorship election in the state, saying it reflected public rejection of Oyetola’s administration.
“It is a fact for history that the people of Osun State voted Gboyega Oyetola out of office in 2022 because of his gross incompetence. Yes, he is pained and sad about it. The people of Osun will vote against him and his puppet again,” Olajengbesi said.
He concluded by saying intimidation would not change the resolve of residents. “Let Oyetola be told that no amount of intimidation can erase the will of a determined people. Osun people have spoken before and they will speak again.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Gboyega Oyetola or the Nigeria Police Force regarding the allegation.
