With less than 24 to Saturday’s gubernatorial poll in Osun, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, on Friday raised the alarm over alleged attacks and abduction in his Odo Otin Local Government Area.

He called for the intervention of the Federal Government, relevant security agencies and the global community to halt what he described as a disturbing trend of violence, intimidation and threat against members of his constituency.

Addressing a press conference in Oke-Fia Government, Egbedun alleged that reports of attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors in his council had caused panic and anxiety in the past 48 hours.

He also alleged the three armed men, who confessed to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Odo Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade, had been released by the Department of State Service (DSS).

According to him, “the reports before us are deeply troubling. We have received accounts alleging that armed military personnel posted to Odo Otin Local Government led by Sikiru Adeboye have been moving through communities in Odo Otin, targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform.

“These actions must not be dismissed or politicised. They require immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.”

Egbedun further hinted that there was a reported attack on the residence of an elderly woman, Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola (popularly known as Mama Mi Leko), who happened to be an elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

“Her residence was invaded and two of her children were taken away. There are also reports of attacks by Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale (Lawesco), Fasola Femi (Odofin) and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo (Action). Gunshots were fired and Mr Ajimoti’s dog was killed.”

While arguing that”no Nigerian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, age, social standing or location, should live in fear of armed personnel, Egbedun declared that he would not bow to any form of intimidation and threat.

“Let me state clearly: I can not be intimidated by demanding for the truth to be established. If anyone has committed an offence, let that person face the law.

“Of even greater concern is the release of three (3) armed men who confessed to be working for Francis Eniade in an incident that occurred in Okuku a few days ago. Francis Eniade is the APC House of Representatives Candidate who made threats against me in a video circulated widely on social media.

“These men were arrested with two firearms (Pump Actions) and were personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services for further investigation.

“I am further informed that the suspects have subsequently been released. I am also deeply concerned by what I understand to be an attempt to intimidate me from making public a video recorded which contained their confessional statements,” Egbedun remarked.

He noted that democracy cannot survive where citizens are intimidated into silence, adding “elections cannot be free where political actors fear attacks, arbitrary arrests or the use of security agencies for partisan purposes. The security agencies must protect all citizens equally, irrespective of political affiliation.

“I therefore call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant authorities to immediately investigate these allegations and make the findings public,” Egbedun averred. (The Guardian)

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