By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Adeleke Campaign Council has alleged that armed security personnel surrounded the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on Saturday as the state held its governorship election.
The campaign council said the security personnel reportedly arrived at the Speaker’s residence in more than 10 black Hilux vehicles and allegedly prevented people inside from leaving.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the residence was “effectively sealed off”, while those inside were reportedly prevented from leaving the premises.
“We have received reports that the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has been surrounded by armed security personnel who reportedly arrived in more than 10 black Hilux vehicles,” the council said.
“We have also been informed that the residence has effectively been sealed off, with everyone inside reportedly prevented from leaving the premises.”
The campaign council, however, said it could not independently establish the purpose of the deployment or determine whether the personnel were providing security or carrying out official duties.
It therefore called on the relevant security agencies to immediately explain the reason for the deployment and the reported restriction of movement at the residence.
Olajengbesi said attempts to contact the Commissioner of Police overseeing election security in Osun and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police responsible for the election were unsuccessful.
He also said efforts to reach the Police Situation Room failed, adding that the publicly provided telephone number was switched off.
The campaign council urged security agencies to ensure that election-day operations did not create fear or intimidation among residents.
“On this Election Day, the people of Osun State deserve an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation. Security deployments must inspire confidence and protect the integrity of the electoral process,” it said.
The council also appealed to residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting clarification from the security authorities.
“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,” the statement added.
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