Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the Odo-Otin All Progressives Congress, Progressive Youth, have called for an investigation into the alleged invasion of an Independent National Electoral Commission office in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The Osun Assembly Speaker, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, condemned the alleged invasion of the INEC office located at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, and the reported theft of Permanent Voter Cards by hoodlums allegedly affiliated with the All Progressives Congress.
The Osun Speaker described the reported incident as a serious attack on Nigeria’s democracy and the electoral process, warning that any attempt to intimidate voters, compromise electoral materials or manipulate elections should not be tolerated.
He called on security agencies to conduct an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Speaker also urged INEC to strengthen measures to guarantee a peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible governorship election, while working closely with security agencies to safeguard electoral materials, protect voters and electoral officials, and reinforce public confidence.
“I urge every eligible voter not to be intimidated or deterred by the actions of desperate individuals. Your vote is your voice, and every lawful effort will be made to ensure that every legitimate vote is protected and counted,” the Speaker said.
He further appealed to residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and participate in the electoral process, stressing that credible and transparent elections remain the foundation of democratic governance.
He appealed to political parties, candidates and supporters to reject violence and intimidation.
But in a separate statement issued same day, the Odo-Otin APC Progressive Youth made a contrary allegation, claiming that thugs allegedly loyal to the Accord and Speaker Adewale Egbedun invaded the INEC office in Odo-Otin in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful collection of PVCs.
The group alleged that the reported incident occurred during a large turnout of APC supporters and other eligible voters at the INEC office, describing such an action, if established, as an attack on democratic institutions and an attempt to intimidate citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
The APC youth group urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to launch what it described as a comprehensive, independent and transparent investigation, urging authorities to question and prosecute any individual found culpable, regardless of political position.
The statement said, “We therefore call on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately launch a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation into the reported incident.
“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.”
State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has also condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting and prosecuting all those responsible.
State Police Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, Gotan disclosed 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 unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of 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 police also appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that may assist the ongoing investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through 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 added.
