Imole Campaign Council Condemns Release of APC Candidate

The Imole Campaign Council, representing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, condemned the release of Babatunde Festus Komolafe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for the Atakumosa East/West constituency. The Nigerian Navy arrested Komolafe and several supporters on August 13, 2026, in Ifewara after discovering an unauthorized firearm in an APC campaign vehicle during a routine security sweep.

The council alleges that senior APC figures pressured authorities to release Komolafe shortly after the arrest, resulting in the redeployment or removal of the naval officer in charge. The council described the release as unacceptable and argued that it sends the wrong signal to political criminals.

Linking the event to a broader pattern of political violence, the council cited a previous incident in Ile-Ife where police allegedly attacked military personnel to rescue APC suspects. Ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the council called on National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene and punish the suspects to ensure no politician remains above the law.