The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has raised the alarm over the reported deployment of armed security personnel to the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, on the day of the state’s governorship election.
The campaign council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles conveying armed security personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and surrounded the premises, reportedly restricting movement in and out of the property.
According to a statement issued by TICC spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., the development has raised serious concerns within the campaign council, particularly because it occurred on Election Day when residents are expected to freely exercise their democratic rights.
“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.”
The council, however, made clear that it had not independently verified the reason for the security deployment.
TICC said it was therefore unclear whether the security personnel had been deployed to provide protection to the Speaker or were carrying out an official security operation.
Despite the uncertainty, the campaign council demanded an immediate explanation from the relevant security authorities, particularly over the allegation that movement into and out of the Speaker’s residence had been restricted.
The council said it attempted to contact the publicly available official telephone line of the Commissioner of Police responsible for the election, but the calls were not answered.
It also said attempts to reach the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election through his publicly provided contact line were unsuccessful.
According to TICC, its efforts to reach the Police Situation Room were equally unsuccessful, as the publicly provided telephone number was reportedly switched off.
The campaign council said the inability to obtain an immediate explanation from the security authorities had heightened its concern over the reported deployment.
TICC stressed that the development was particularly troubling because it occurred on Election Day, when security agencies are expected to protect voters, maintain order and ensure that citizens can freely participate in the electoral process.
“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,” the council said.
The campaign council called on the security authorities to urgently clarify who authorised the deployment, why the armed personnel were stationed at the Speaker’s residence and whether the reported restriction of movement was part of a legitimate security operation.
It also urged authorities to ensure that security operations did not create fear, intimidation or unnecessary restrictions capable of undermining confidence in the election.
“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,” TICC said.
The council further appealed to residents, political parties, candidates and their supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting an official explanation from the relevant security agencies.
The allegations had not, as of the time of the statement, been independently confirmed by the security authorities.