The Adeleke Campaign Council has called for an immediate explanation over the reported deployment of armed security personnel to the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on Saturday as the state holds its governorship election.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles carrying armed personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and surrounded the premises.
According to the council, the residence was subsequently sealed, with occupants 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.”
The campaign council stressed that it had not independently established the reason for the deployment or determined whether the personnel were deployed for routine security duties or another official assignment.
It therefore urged the relevant security authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deployment and the alleged restriction of movement at the Speaker’s residence.
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Olajengbesi said the council’s attempts to obtain clarification from 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, as the telephone number made publicly available was switched off.
The council appealed to security agencies to conduct their election-day operations in a manner that would reassure residents rather than create anxiety or a sense of intimidation.
“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.
It further called on residents to remain calm and law-abiding pending an official response 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.