The Adeleke Campaign Council has raised concerns over the reported deployment of armed security personnel to the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, as residents of the state vote in Saturday’s governorship election.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign 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 off, with occupants allegedly 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 yet to independently establish the reason for the security presence or determine whether the personnel were deployed for routine protection or an official operation.
It called on the relevant security authorities to explain the deployment and clarify the reported restriction of movement around the Speaker’s residence.
Olajengbesi said attempts to contact the Commissioner of Police overseeing election security in Osun and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police responsible for the election were unsuccessful.
He added that efforts to reach the Police Situation Room also failed, saying the publicly listed telephone number was switched off.
The council urged security agencies to conduct their election-day operations in a manner that would reassure rather than intimidate residents.
“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 also appealed to residents across the state to remain peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting clarification 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.
