…Speaker alleges intimidation ahead of poll

By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has announced plans to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate reported political killings and other acts of violence linked to the ongoing governorship election period.

Adeleke, who made the announcement at a press conference on Friday, condoled with the families of those who had lost their lives, describing every victim as “an Osun life” and stressing that political differences should never result in bloodshed.

The governor said the commission would be inaugurated on Monday, immediately after Saturday’s governorship election, with a mandate to investigate reported incidents of election-related violence across the state.

According to him, the commission would establish the circumstances surrounding the killings and recommend appropriate measures to ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence.

Adeleke also disclosed that the state government would establish a framework to support and compensate the families of victims, while ensuring that the deceased were 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,” he said.

He extended the government’s condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who had died during the election period.

The governor further appealed for peace before, during and after Saturday’s election, urging residents and political actors to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold the unity of the state.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has 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.

Egbedun, who spoke at a separate press conference on Friday, alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin had targeted leaders and members of the Accord political platform.

He described the alleged incidents as disturbing and called for 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 further alleged that some political figures, including Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale, popularly known as Lawesco; Fasola Femi, also known as Odofin; and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo, popularly known as Action, were attacked.

Egbedun claimed that gunshots were fired during the incident and that Ajimoti’s dog was killed.

He said no Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or status, should live in fear of armed personnel or have his or her residence invaded with impunity.

The Speaker also expressed concern over the alleged release of three armed suspects who, according to him, confessed to working for the 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 subsequently released.

Egbedun further 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 in an atmosphere where citizens were intimidated into silence or elections were conducted under 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 developments 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 said.

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 DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and Francis Eniade had also not publicly responded to the allegations.