Osun speaker seeks international intervention over alleged attacks in Odo Otin
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has called on the international community to closely monitor developments in the state following alleged attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors in Odo Otin Local Government Area.
Egbedun made the call at a press conference in Osogbo, describing reports of attacks in the area over the past 48 hours as disturbing and urging relevant authorities to conduct an immediate, independent and transparent investigation.
He specifically called on members of the international community, diplomatic missions, human rights organisations and the media to pay close attention to the situation and help protect democratic values and citizens’ rights.
According to him, armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin Local Government had allegedly been moving through communities and targeting leaders and members of the Accord Party.
He also alleged that the residence of Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, an elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was invaded and that two of her children were taken away.
Egbedun said no Nigerian should live in fear of armed personnel or believe that his or her home could be invaded with impunity, stressing that democracy could not survive where citizens were intimidated into silence.
He therefore called on the Federal Government, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations immediately and make their findings public.
The speaker stressed that security agencies must protect all citizens equally, irrespective of political affiliation, warning that elections could not be free where political actors feared attacks, arbitrary arrests or the alleged partisan use of security agencies.
