Residents in Iree, Osun State, have reportedly confronted and subdued a suspected political thug during Saturday’s ongoing governorship election.
A video circulating on social media showed a group of residents confronting a man alleged to be an All Progressives Congress (APC) thug.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation were not immediately clear, while the identity of the individual could not be independently verified.
The incident occurred amid heightened concerns over alleged vote buying, political intimidation and election-related violence in parts of Osun State.
The source of the video claimed that residents had “come out to neutralize one of APC thugs in Iree,” suggesting that the confrontation was triggered by concerns over activities allegedly capable of disrupting the voting process.
Another video circulating online also purportedly showed some Osun youths seizing money allegedly intended for vote buying by supporters of the APC.
The claims contained in the videos could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report, and there was no immediate official confirmation from the police regarding the alleged incident in Iree.
The development comes as voters across Osun State continue to cast their ballots to elect the next occupant of the Bola Ige Government House for a four-year term.
A total of 15 political parties are on the ballot in the election, which has attracted significant political attention and heightened security arrangements across the state.
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Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election, while the All Progressives Congress is also mounting a strong challenge in the contest.
Two candidates, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had earlier announced their withdrawal from the election.
Adeyemi-Doro subsequently endorsed the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, while Adewale declared support for Adeleke.
Despite their withdrawals, the APGA and APM candidates remain on the ballot.
The reported confrontation in Iree adds to a series of incidents and allegations emerging as voting progresses across the state.
Authorities have repeatedly warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, voter intimidation, vote buying and other activities capable of undermining the credibility of the election.
With voting gradually drawing to a close, attention will now turn to the counting of ballots at polling units and the subsequent collation of results across the state.