By John Dike, Osogbo
Fresh accusations and counter-accusations over security have heightened political tension in Osun State on the eve of Saturday’s governorship election, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, raising separate allegations of intimidation, political violence and abuse of security agencies.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Friday, APC spokesperson, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji, alleged that large numbers of suspected political thugs had been mobilised into the Osun Government House ahead of the election.
According to Ayantunji, the party received intelligence that some of the individuals were brought into the state from Lagos and were allegedly led by two persons identified by the codenames “Olowe” and “Iberu.”
He listed several vehicles, including Lexus SUVs, a Toyota Corolla and a Volkswagen Golf, which he claimed transported the suspected thugs, adding that the party had photographic evidence to support its allegations.
The APC further alleged that the individuals were being positioned to disrupt voting in parts of Osogbo and Egbedore Local Government Areas, including Ward 5 in Osogbo, Wards 4 and 8 in Egbedore, as well as Ido-Osun and Ofatedo.
Ayantunji also claimed that an armoured vehicle procured during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and recently refurbished by the state government was stationed at the entrance of the Government House instead of being deployed to support security agencies during the election.
The APC called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate the allegations and ensure adequate security for voters.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies, the National Human Rights Commission, election observers and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State, alleging intimidation and attacks against members of the Accord political platform in Odo Otin Local Government Area.
In a statement, Egbedun alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin had targeted leaders and supporters of the Accord Party, describing the reports as disturbing and calling for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation.
Among the incidents cited by the Speaker was the alleged invasion of the residence of Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, popularly known as Mama Mi Leko and elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, during which two of her children were allegedly taken away.
He also alleged attacks on Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale (Lawesco), Fasola Femi (Odofin) and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo (Action), claiming that gunshots were fired and Ajimoti’s dog was killed.
Egbedun further alleged that three armed men arrested in connection with an incident in Okuku and said to have confessed to working for Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate, had been released after being handed over to the Department of State Services for investigation. He called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their release.
The Speaker maintained that democracy could not thrive where citizens were intimidated or where security agencies were allegedly used for partisan purposes. He urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the DSS and other relevant agencies to investigate all allegations and make their findings public.
He also appealed to civil society organisations, election observers, diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to independently monitor developments in Osun State before, during and after the election.
The APC and the Speaker each urged security agencies to act professionally and impartially to guarantee a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election.
