The Adeleke Campaign Council has raised concerns over the reported presence of armed security personnel at the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on Saturday as the state held its governorship election.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles carrying armed security personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and surrounded the premises.
The council further claimed that the residence was sealed off and that those inside were reportedly prevented from leaving.
“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 statement said.
“We have also been informed that the residence has effectively been sealed off, with everyone inside reportedly prevented from leaving the premises.”
However, the campaign council acknowledged that it had not independently verified the purpose of the security deployment or determined whether the operatives were deployed to provide security or were carrying out official duties.
The council subsequently called on the relevant security authorities to explain the reason for the deployment and clarify the allegation that movement in and out of the Speaker’s residence had been restricted.
Olajengbesi said the council made attempts to contact the Commissioner of Police responsible for election security in Osun State and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the election, but the calls were reportedly unanswered.
He added that attempts to reach the Police Situation Room were also unsuccessful, as the publicly available telephone number was reportedly switched off.
The campaign council urged security agencies to conduct their operations in a manner that would not create fear or intimidation among residents during the election.
“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 stated.
The council also appealed to residents across the state 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.
