The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun has raised the alarm over alleged threats of electoral violence and voter intimidation, calling on the International Community not to wait until violence becomes irreversible before paying attention ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Egbedun, who also appealed to the international community not to take sides with any political party before, during and after the election said the body should stand on the side of truth, human rights, constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
The Speaker, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Osogbo said the disturbing reports of attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors in Odo Otin Local Government Area of Osun State in the past 48 hours needs urgent attention.
According to him, ‘the reports before us are deeply troubling. We have received accounts alleging that Armed Military personnel posted to Odo Otin Local Government led by Sikiru Adeboye have been moving through communities in Odo Otin, targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform. These actions must not be dismissed or politicised. They require immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.’
The statement reads further; ‘among the incidents reported is an attack on the residence of an elderly woman, Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola (popularly known as Mama Mi Leko), who happened to be an elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Her residence was invaded and two of her children were taken away. There are also reports of attacks Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale (Lawesco), Fasola Femi (Odofin) and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo (Action). Gunshots were fired and Mr Ajimoti’s dog was killed.
‘This is disturbing. No Nigerian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, age, social standing or location, should live in fear of armed personnel or believe that his or her home can be invaded with impunity.
‘Of even greater concern is the release of three (3) armed men who confessed to be working for Francis Eniade in an incident that occurred in Okuku few days ago. Francis Eniade is the APC House of Representatives Candidate who made threats against me in a video circulated widely on social media.
‘These men were arrested with two firearms (Pump Actions) and were personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services for further investigation.
‘I am further informed that the suspects have subsequently been released. I am also deeply concerned by what I understand to be an attempt to intimidate me from making public a video recorded which contained their confessional statements. These are serious matters that deserve institutional scrutiny rather than secrecy.
‘Let me state clearly that I cannot be intimidated for demanding for the truth to be established. If anyone has committed an offence, let that person face the law. Circumstances like this which involve firearms, threats, political violence and the deployment of security personnel against citizens, Nigerians and the international community have a legitimate interest in knowing what happened.
‘Democracy cannot survive where citizens are intimidated into silence. Elections cannot be free where political actors fear attacks, arbitrary arrests or the use of security agencies for partisan purposes. The security agencies must protect all citizens equally, irrespective of political affiliation.’
Egbedun, however, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant authorities to immediately investigate these allegations and make the findings public.
‘I equally call on the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, election observers, diplomatic missions and credible international human-rights institutions to pay close attention to developments in Osun State and, where appropriate, independently document allegations of violations of citizens’ rights.
‘The protection of democracy begins with the protection of the ordinary citizen. The voter, the community leader, the political worker, the elderly woman and every Nigerian who has the constitutional right to live without fear.
‘As Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, I will continue to defend the constitutional rights of the people of Osun State and to demand accountability from every institution entrusted with the protection of our citizens.
‘We ask the world to watch Osun State closely. We ask our security agencies to act professionally and impartially. Democracy must not be allowed to become a casualty of political ambition,’ he said.