The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has raised the alarm over alleged threats of electoral violence and voter intimidation ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to act immediately.
Addressing a world press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, Egbedun said Osun State stands at a defining moment, noting that what should be a celebration of democracy is being overshadowed by disturbing statements, threats, and attempts to suppress voters.
He specifically mentioned Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East and Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, accusing them of threatening people who are not APC members with violence and death.
The Speaker said he was particularly concerned about a video by Eniade in which his name was mentioned alongside threats against him and other eligible voters in the Odo-Otin, Boripe and Ifelodun Federal Constituency.
He described the remarks as more than political rhetoric, saying they raise serious concerns about threats to life and the promotion of political violence.
Egbedun declared that as an elected representative, he would not be intimidated, and that no citizen should live in fear because of political preference.
He stressed that the right to vote freely and peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, and that no candidate has the authority to threaten citizens for exercising that right.
The Speaker therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, to immediately order the arrest and investigation of Francis Eniade over the threat.
He disclosed that his lawyers had submitted a formal petition to the IGP and other relevant authorities, and expressed optimism that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
Egbedun said the issue was not about political persecution but about protecting lives and preserving the integrity of democracy.
He asked whether the police response would be the same if the threats had come from an Accord candidate, insisting that Nigerians demand equal protection under the law and that the police must not have one face for APC and another for the opposition.
In a message to the people of Osun State, the Speaker urged citizens not to be afraid or to allow intimidation to deprive them of their constitutional right to vote.
He called on all eligible voters who support the re-election of Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to come out en masse on Saturday, saying “Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power. Vote, don’t fight.”
Egbedun concluded by assuring residents that the House of Assembly would continue to demand the protection of voters through lawful and democratic means.
The Speaker urged the people to remain peaceful and vigilant, and to protect their votes with every lawful means, declaring that Osun belongs to all of us.
