The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the Odo-Otin All Progressives Congress, APC, Progressive Youth, have demanded a probe into the alleged invasion of an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The Speaker condemned the alleged invasion of the INEC office at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, and the reported theft of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, by hoodlums allegedly affiliated with the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a statement issued on Sunday via his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu.
The Speaker denounced the alleged incident as a severe attack on Nigeria’s democracy and electoral process, warning that any attempt to frighten voters, compromise electoral materials, or manipulate elections would be unacceptable.
He urged security services to launch an immediate, complete, and impartial investigation into the incident, identify those involved, and ensure that they are prosecuted according to the law.
The Speaker also encouraged INEC to strengthen efforts to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible governorship election, as well as to collaborate with security services to secure electoral materials, protect voters and electoral officials, and boost public trust.
“I urge all eligible voters not to be intimidated or discouraged by the conduct of desperate people. Your vote is your voice, and every lawful effort will be made to guarantee that every valid vote is preserved and counted,” the Speaker stated.
He urged Osun State people to remain calm and participate in the electoral process, emphasising the importance of credible and transparent elections as the foundation of democratic governance and urging political parties, candidates, and supporters to reject violence and threats.
However, in a second statement published the same day, the Odo-Otin APC Progressive Youth claimed that thugs reportedly loyal to the Accord and Speaker Adewale Egbedun stormed the INEC office in Odo-Otin in an attempt to disturb the peaceful collection of PVCs.
The group claimed that the reported incident occurred during a large turnout of APC supporters and other eligible voters at the INEC office, describing it as an attack on democratic institutions and an attempt to intimidate citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
The APC youth organization urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, DSS, to conduct a comprehensive, unbiased, and transparent investigation, and to question and prosecute anyone found guilty, regardless of political affiliation.
“We thus call on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an immediate, comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into the reported occurrence.
“Should credible evidence establish the involvement of Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun or any other individual, they should be invited for questioning and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has also condemned the incident in its entirety and ordered a thorough investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved.
In a statement issued by Command spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, Gotan stated that “tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs.”
“The Command reiterates its steadfast dedication to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing further breach of the peace.”
The Command also urged residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that could aid the ongoing investigation to immediately report to the nearest police station or contact the Command via its emergency lines.
“Anyone found exploiting these incidents to foment violence or disrupt public order will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement concluded.