By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced plans to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate all reported political killings and acts of violence connected with the ongoing governorship election period.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, the governor expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, describing every victim as “an Osun life” and stressing that politics should never result in bloodshed, regardless of political affiliation.
Adeleke said the commission would be inaugurated on Monday, immediately after the governorship election, with a mandate to investigate all reported incidents of election-related violence across the state.
According to him, the commission will determine the circumstances surrounding the killings and recommend appropriate actions to ensure that everyone found culpable is brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation, position or influence.
The governor also disclosed that the state government would establish a framework to support and compensate the families of victims, while ensuring that the memories of those who died are appropriately honoured.
“The election will come and go, but we will remain one people. We owe the dead justice, their families compassion, and the people of Osun a peaceful future,” Adeleke said.
He extended the government’s deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives during the election period.
The governor appealed for peace before, during and after Saturday’s governorship election, urging residents and political actors to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold the unity of the state.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, called on the international community to closely monitor developments in the state, alleging intimidation, voter suppression, attacks and politically motivated harassment in Odo Otin Local Government Area ahead of the poll.
Addressing a separate press conference on Friday, Egbedun alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin had been targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform, describing the reported incidents as disturbing and deserving of immediate investigation.
According to the Speaker, reports available to him indicated that the residence of an elderly woman, Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, popularly known as “Mama Mi Leko” and elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was allegedly invaded, while two of her children were taken away.
He also alleged that some political figures, including Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale, popularly known as Lawesco, Fasola Femi (Odofin) and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo (Action), were attacked, adding that gunshots were fired during the incident and that Ajimoti’s dog was killed.
Egbedun said no Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation or status, should live in fear of armed personnel or have his or her residence invaded with impunity.
The Speaker further expressed concern over the alleged release of three armed suspects who, according to him, confessed to working for APC House of Representatives candidate, Francis Eniade, in connection with an earlier incident in Okuku.
He claimed the suspects were arrested with two pump-action rifles and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation but were later released.
Egbedun also alleged that attempts had been made to intimidate him from releasing a video containing what he described as the suspects’ confessional statements.
“I cannot be intimidated for demanding that the truth be established. If anyone has committed an offence, let that person face the law.
Circumstances involving firearms, threats, political violence and the deployment of security personnel against citizens deserve transparent investigation,” he said.
The Speaker warned that democracy could not thrive where citizens were intimidated into silence or where elections were conducted under an atmosphere of fear.
He called on the Federal Government, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the allegations and make their findings public.
Egbedun also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, election observers, diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to closely monitor events in Osun State and independently document any alleged violations of citizens’ rights.
“Our appeal is not for the international community to take sides with any political party. Our appeal is for the international community to stand on the side of truth, human rights, constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to defending the constitutional rights of the people of Osun State and urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting all citizens throughout the electoral process.
However, the allegations contained in the Speaker’s statement had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report. The Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and Francis Eniade had not publicly responded to the claims.
