9 Days in Detention: Ijesa Residents Protest Continued Detention of Accord Leaders, Including Hon. Alaba Popoola

Osogbo — August 1, 2026 | AccordWatch

9 Days in Detention: Ijesa Residents Protest Continued Detention of Accord Leaders, Including Hon. Alaba Popoola

Hundreds of protesters marched peacefully to the Owa Obokun Palace in Ilesa for the second consecutive day on Saturday to register their concerns over the continued detention of Accord leaders and stakeholders, nine days after the arrest of the party's Ijesa South House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Alaba Popoola.

The protesters appealed directly to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, to intervene and facilitate the release of Popoola, whom they described as being unlawfully held.

During the demonstration, some protesters alleged that prominent APC figures in Ijesaland — including Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Hon. Emmanuel Sanya Omirin, Hon. Wole Oke, and Hon. Remi Omowaiye, among others — were connected to events they said led to the harassment, intimidation, and arrest of Accord leaders, stakeholders, and members in the area.

The protesters also expressed appreciation to the Owa Obokun for his earlier intervention in the case of Hon. Dada Ajibola, who was released by the police following the monarch's involvement, and expressed hope for a similar outcome in Popoola's case.

Reaffirming their political stance, the demonstrators reiterated their continued support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and pledged to protect the integrity of their votes through peaceful and lawful democratic participation ahead of the August 15 election.

Responding on behalf of the palace, the Ogboni of Ijesaland, Chief Saka Fapohunda, assured the protesters that the palace would continue to engage relevant authorities in the interest of peace, justice, and harmonious coexistence across Ijesaland.