Osun speaker raises alarm over alleged threats to life, voter intimidation

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life and attempts to intimidate voters ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Egbedun, who spoke at a news conference at the assembly complex on Wednesday, alleged that Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, made threats against him and other eligible voters who are not APC members or supporters in a video.

He said the alleged statement raised concerns about threats to life, voter intimidation and the promotion of political violence ahead of the election.

Consequently, Egbedun called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order the immediate arrest and investigation of Eniade over the alleged threat.

He said his lawyers had already submitted a formal petition to the inspector-general of police and other relevant authorities, expressing confidence that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and not swept under the carpet.

Egbedun said the matter was not about political persecution or vendetta but about protecting lives, enforcing the law and preserving the integrity of the democratic process.

He also urged the police to act before the alleged threats degenerated into violence, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force belonged to Nigerians and not to any political party.

The speaker urged Osun residents not to allow threats or intimidation to prevent them from exercising their constitutional right to vote, assuring them that the state government would continue to seek the protection of citizens and the integrity of their votes through lawful and democratic means.