National Patriots Says Strong Security Protected the Ballot but Demands Impartial Investigation
By Headlinenews.News
When an election is threatened by the alleged importation of voters and unlawful possession of hundreds of Permanent Voter Cards, a strong security presence is not voter intimidation—it is a necessary defence of the ballot.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has raised concerns over Police operations in Ede, his political stronghold, alleging that the deployment was frightening supporters and could disrupt voting.
Speaking after casting his ballot at Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, in Ede North Local Government Area, Adeleke alleged that a Police officer identified only as “London” had been brought from Port Harcourt to interfere with voting in the town.
The governor called on the Inspector-General of Police, the DIG overseeing the election and other security agencies to investigate the officer’s activities. He also alleged that some supporters were being frightened away in Modakeke and other areas.
Those allegations deserve investigation. No security officer should intimidate lawful voters, interfere with accreditation or operate as an instrument of any political party.
But the presence of security personnel cannot, by itself, be treated as evidence of voter suppression—particularly against the background of serious arrests reportedly made shortly before voting commenced.
The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Accord Party lawmaker Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, alongside a large number of people allegedly brought into Osun from neighbouring states.
Reports differ on the exact number detained. Major news organisations have variously reported 143, 146 or about 300 individuals undergoing Police profiling. The most consistently reported account is that approximately 146 people were allegedly moved into Osun for the election.
More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards were also reportedly recovered during the operation at the lawmaker’s residence in Ikire. Police said investigations had begun to establish the identities of those involved and determine the extent of the suspected electoral network.
The allegations are grave.
If people were transported from other states, unlawfully equipped with PVCs and assembled to vote in Osun, the operation would constitute an organised attempt to corrupt the electoral process and dilute the legitimate votes of residents.
However, arrest is not conviction. The Police must establish who owned the recovered PVCs, whether they were genuine, how they were obtained and precisely what role the lawmaker allegedly played.
The evidence must be preserved and presented before a competent court. Preliminary statements and viral videos cannot replace a proper investigation and fair trial.
Nevertheless, the incident provides important context for the extensive security deployment criticised by Adeleke.
The governor himself initially described the election as peaceful. Independent observers quoted in reports from Ede also commended security personnel for maintaining order, while residents were reported to have turned out at polling units.
That evidence does not support a sweeping conclusion that Police presence caused widespread voter apathy in Ede.
Security deployment must be judged by the conduct of the officers—not by whether its operations favour or inconvenience any political party.
If officers prevented violence, intercepted suspected electoral offenders and protected voters, their presence strengthened the election. If any officer intimidated voters, manipulated materials or acted on partisan instructions, that officer must be identified and sanctioned.
The same standard must apply to every party.
The arrest of an Accord lawmaker does not establish that Governor Adeleke knew about or authorised any alleged operation. It does, however, make it premature for Accord leaders to portray robust Police activity solely as an attempt to suppress their supporters.
NATIONAL PATRIOTS: SECURITY MUST PROTECT THE BALLOT
The National Patriots said the reported arrests exposed the continuing danger posed by organised electoral manipulation.
“The heavy security presence in Osun should be welcomed where it protects voters, prevents violence and frustrates attempts to compromise the ballot. Reports that an Accord Party lawmaker was arrested alongside suspected imported voters and more than 200 PVCs demand a transparent and impartial investigation.
“Governor Adeleke’s allegations against individual officers must also be investigated, but legitimate security deployment should not be condemned merely because it disrupts suspected electoral malpractice. Every genuine voter must be protected, every lawful vote must count and every offender—regardless of political affiliation—must face prosecution.”
The credibility of the Osun election will not be determined by which party complains most loudly. It will be determined by whether INEC follows the law, security agencies remain impartial and the ballots counted are the ballots lawfully cast.
Police officers must never be used to manufacture an election result. But politicians must not be allowed to weaken legitimate security operations when those operations stand between the people’s mandate and alleged electoral fraud.
Osun voters—not imported mercenaries, unlawfully possessed PVCs or partisan intimidation—must decide who governs Osun State.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser MFR
Former Special Adviser to Former President Goodluck Jonathan.
