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Tension rose in Osogbo early on gubernatorial election day as armed security personnel in more than 10 black Hilux vehicles surrounded the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun.
The allegation was contained in a press statement issued by the Imole Campaign Council (TICC) on Saturday.
The TICC also shared a video showing the security vehicles parked around the perimeter of the Speaker’s residence.
According to the statement signed by the Spokesperson of TICC, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., the Speaker’s residence was “effectively sealed off” with everyone inside prevented from leaving the premises.
Olajengbesi said the campaign council could not independently confirm the purpose of the deployment, “whether they are there to provide security or are carrying out routine official duties.”
“We therefore call on the relevant security agencies to immediately clarify the purpose of this deployment and the reported restriction of movement at the residence,” the statement reads in part.
Olajengbesi emphasised that TICC tried to get clarification from security authorities but was unsuccessful.
The group stated that calls to the publicly available official contact line of the Commissioner of Police for the election and the DIG Election contact line were not answered.
It added that the Police Situation Room number was also “currently switched off.”
TICC noted that the people of Osun deserve “an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation” as voting takes place across the state.
“Security deployments must inspire confidence and protect the integrity of the electoral process,” it said.
“The people of Osun State must be allowed to come out peacefully and decide their future according to their own conscience, without intimidation or interference.”
TICC appealed to residents to “remain peaceful and law-abiding” while awaiting an official explanation from the relevant security authorities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State had not issued an official statement on the deployment around the Speaker’s residence.
