By OLAJIDE IDOWU

The Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has expressed concern over alleged threats against members and supporters of the Accord Party by opposition politicians ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Egbedun, at a news conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, said he was worried that electoral threats and violence could undermine democracy and the right of residents to come out and vote freely.

“As we approach Saturday’s election, what should ordinarily be a celebration of democracy, civic participation and the peaceful exercise of the people’s constitutional rights is increasingly being overshadowed by disturbing statements.

“This is also being overshadowed by threats, intimidation, harassment and allegations of attempts to suppress voters,” he said.

He said he was particularly concerned about alleged threats attributed to Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.

According to Egbedun, the politicians were threatening people who were not members or supporters of their party with violence and death.

He described such statements as completely unacceptable in a democratic society.

“No political ambition is worth the life of one Osun citizen,” he said.

Egbedun said the House of Representatives candidate had specifically mentioned his name and issued threats against him and voters within the Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.

He said he had submitted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, and other relevant authorities on the matter.

Egbedun, however, expressed optimism that the IGP would act swiftly, investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that it was not swept under the carpet.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Commissioner of Police for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun, Mr Samuel Etaifo, had earlier Invited Fadahunsi to provide clarification on an alleged inciting statement contained in a viral video.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday.

Fadahunsi, in the viral video, while speaking with members of his party, was allegedly heard instructing that members of the Accord Party should not be allowed to vote in Ijesaland.

He was also allegedly heard saying that those identified as Accord Party members should be killed.

The Commissioner of Police condemned the alleged statement, saying it had generated concerns among stakeholders and members of the public. (NAN)