By John Dike, Osogbo
Accord Media Centre has alleged a plot by some individuals within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deploy thousands of political thugs dressed in police uniforms to manipulate the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The group alleged that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi were behind the alleged recruitment of 5,000 political thugs who, according to it, would be disguised as police officers to intimidate political opponents and interfere with the electoral process.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Accord Media Centre, which called on the general public, diplomatic missions and pro-democracy organisations to pay close attention to developments in Osun ahead of the governorship election.
The group alleged that the purported fake police officers were being prepared to gain unrestricted access to political activities spots and carry out illegal arrests of Accord Party leaders and members.
The Accord Media Centre further alleged that Fadahunsi and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Gotan, recently held a meeting during which an agreement was allegedly reached to allow the purported fake policemen to operate without interference.
It also claimed that at least eight vehicles resembling vehicles recently distributed to security agencies would allegedly be deployed in the operation.
The group said the alleged use of vehicles similar to those operated by security agencies could make it difficult for members of the public to distinguish between genuine and fake security personnel.
The Accord Media Centre further alleged that some of the purported fake policemen had already been deployed during the recent crisis involving motor parks and garages in the state.
According to the group, the alleged operation formed part of a broader plan to take control of motor parks and ultimately interfere with electoral materials, including result sheets for the August 15 governorship election.
The group condemned what it described as an attempt to manipulate the electoral process through intimidation and called on residents to remain vigilant.
It said the people should resist any attempt to deprive them of their constitutional right to freely choose their leaders through the ballot.
The statement also expressed concern over what the group described as declining public confidence in the neutrality of the Osun State Police Command.
The Accord Media Centre alleged that the command had come under undue political influence, although it did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
It argued that any deployment of individuals masquerading as police officers would constitute a serious security threat and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The group therefore appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, to immediately investigate the allegation and conduct what it described as an audit of the actual strength and deployment of police personnel in Osun State.
It said such an exercise would help identify any individuals impersonating police officers or unlawfully operating under the identity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Accord Media Centre also urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that no political actors were allowed to use security personnel or impersonators to intimidate political opponents during the election period.
It warned that allowing political thuggery to become intertwined with security operations could have serious consequences for public safety beyond the August 15 election.
The group further appealed to diplomatic missions and the international community to monitor the Osun governorship election closely.
It specifically accused Senator Fadahunsi of playing what it described as a disruptive role in Osun politics and called for international sanctions against him, including visa restrictions and restrictions on economic interests abroad.
The group alleged that the senator’s activities posed a threat to the ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders.
The allegations come against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with rival political camps repeatedly trading accusations over violence, arrests, intimidation and alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
The development also comes at a time when security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are expected to intensify preparations for the election.
