“How Did ₦4m, My Siblings’ Voter Cards and INEC Materials Become Illegal?” — Osun SSG Teslim Igbalaye Questions Police Action
Political tension in Osun State has again attracted public attention following allegations by the Secretary to the Osun State Government and Bobagunwa of Osogboland, High Chief Teslim Igbalaye, concerning his reported arrest and detention over materials allegedly recovered from his residence.
Igbalaye questioned the basis upon which items he described as legitimately possessed could be classified as “illegal documents.”
According to his account, security operatives visited his residence and recovered approximately ₦4 million in cash, two voter cards belonging to his siblings, his official laptop, a printer and voter-registration materials which he maintained were officially issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties.
“You came to my house and found ₦4 million in cash, an amount that could just as easily be found in the home of any POS operator,” he stated.
He further questioned how the possession of the other items could constitute an offence, insisting that the voter cards belonged to family members while the computer and printer were legitimate working equipment.
“Yet, you arrested and detained me for allegedly possessing illegal documents. How does this make any sense? On what reasonable basis can legally owned or officially issued items suddenly become illegal documents?” he queried.
Igbalaye also criticised the current leadership of the Osun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, alleging intimidation and declaring that such actions would not force him or his political associates into silence.
“No amount of intimidation will make us surrender our convictions. We will continue to speak up and resist every attempt to silence us,” he declared.
Igbalaye is a prominent figure in Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. Official Osun State Government records identify him as Secretary to the State Government. Before his current appointment, he served as Chairman of Osogbo Local Government and held leadership positions within the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). He was also installed as the Bobagunwa of Osogboland in December 2024.
His comments have consequently generated strong reactions among supporters, particularly as Osun’s political environment becomes increasingly charged ahead of future electoral contests.
Several supporters responding to the controversy described the development as political intimidation and expressed continued support for Governor Adeleke and Igbalaye.
“Bobagunwa, you’re not alone. Osun people are with you; your courage is inspiring a nation. Keep standing strong,” one supporter wrote.
Another declared: “Adeleke till 2030. All this intimidation won’t help.”
Others urged political actors to protect Osun’s relative peace rather than allow partisan disagreements to create unnecessary tension.
“APC please, Osun State has been one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria; don’t turn the state into a war zone,” another commenter appealed.
Some reactions were considerably more partisan, with supporters accusing the APC of attempting to take control of Osun through intimidation, while others simply reaffirmed their intention to “vote accordingly.”
The allegations, however, should be separated from independently established facts. While Igbalaye’s status as Osun SSG and Bobagunwa of Osogboland is documented, the specific circumstances surrounding the reported search, items recovered, alleged offence and justification for his detention require an official account from the Nigeria Police Force or further independent verification before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
For Igbalaye and his supporters, however, the message remains unmistakable: they insist political pressure will not change their position.
As the Yoruba saying invoked in solidarity with him puts it: “Ibi lile ni a ma n ba ọmọ okunrin” — difficult situations are where courage is tested.Official Osun State records confirm Igbalaye is the SSG and document his previous local-government and ALGON roles. The state government also refers to him as Bobagunwa Teslim Igbalaye, while independent reporting records his December 2024 installation as Bobagunwa of Osogboland.
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