Proceedings at the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission to discuss the peaceful conduct of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15 were delayed for about 30 minutes following a protest by persons carrying placards.
The protesters stormed the venue shortly after the arrival of the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, advocating for a peaceful election on August 15.
Some of their placards read, “One man one Vote,” “We don’t want violence,” “INEC give us free election,” and “BVAS must work,” among others.
The protest remained peaceful as demonstrators circulated around the hall displaying their signs.
But the introduction of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Gotan Ibrahim, elicited mixed reactions from the audience.
While representatives from nearly all other political parties present expressed their disapproval by booing him, supporters of one political party applauded him with a standing ovation.
Osun State has experienced violence over the past five weeks, with some individuals accusing the police of partiality.
The commissioner’s speech was largely drowned by the jeers and shouts from the unfriendly crowd.
On Tuesday, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conveyed to the INEC Chairman that the political tension in Osun State had become intolerable.
“The political tension in Osun is extremely unbearable for us. We do not wish to disrupt the process. We desire a peaceful election,” the Ooni said.
