OSOGBO, OSUN STATE — The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life and widespread voter intimidation ahead of Saturday’s elections in the state.
During a world press conference addressed to domestic and international media, as well as foreign partners, the Speaker accused prominent figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to suppress voters through harassment and threats of violence.
Speaker Egbedun specifically pointed to Senator Ade Fadahunsi and Mr. Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun, Boripe, and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency. According to the Speaker, both individuals have been threatening non-APC supporters with violence and death.
The Speaker expressed particular concern over a video purportedly made by Eniade, in which the APC candidate allegedly called out Egbedun by name and issued direct threats against him and other eligible voters in the constituency.
“This is not merely political rhetoric that should be dismissed or ignored. It is a matter that raises serious concerns about threats to life, voter intimidation, and the promotion of political violence ahead of the election,” Egbedun stated, adding that “no political ambition is worth the life of one Osun citizen.”
In response to the video, Egbedun announced that his legal team has submitted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tunji Disu. The Speaker demanded the immediate arrest and thorough investigation of Francis Eniade.
Egbedun also challenged the police force to demonstrate strict impartiality, questioning whether law enforcement would have remained silent if similar threats had been issued by members of opposition parties like Accord or the ADC.
“We demand equal protection under the law. The law must not have one face for APC and another face for the opposition,” he said. “The Nigerian Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people. It does not belong to APC, Accord, ADC, or any other political party.”
Despite the alleged intimidation tactics, the Speaker urged the citizens of Osun State not to succumb to fear. He called on voters to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to peacefully exercise their constitutional rights.
Specifically, Egbedun rallied supporters of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, urging them to come out en masse to vote for the governor’s re-election.
“Do not allow any threat, video, statement, or act of intimidation to deprive you of your constitutional right to vote,” Egbedun urged the electorate. “Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power. Vote, don’t fight.”
The Speaker concluded his address by vowing that the people of Osun would resist any form of voter suppression through “peace, vigilance, the law, and the ballot box,” reminding citizens that “Osun belongs to all of us.”
