An probe into the purported invasion of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Odo-Otin Local Government Area has been demanded by Speaker Adewale Egbedun of the Osun State House of Assembly and the Odo-Otin All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressive Youth.
The Speaker slammed the alleged break-in at the INEC office in Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, and the subsequent theft of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by thugs allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to a statement released on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu.
The Speaker warned that the alleged event was an assault on democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria and that no effort should be allowed to scare voters, compromise electoral materials, or manipulate elections.
He urged the relevant security authorities to launch an impartial investigation into the incident without delay, find the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
Working together with security agencies to preserve voting materials, protect voters and electoral workers, and reaffirm public trust, the Speaker asked INEC to improve efforts to assure a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible governorship election.
The acts of desperate people should not scare or discourage any eligible voter, I beg you. The Speaker assured the public that their vote would be respected and that all votes would be counted in accordance with the law.
He urged the people of Osun State to stay calm and cast their ballots peacefully, emphasising that honest and open elections are the bedrock of democracy and urging all parties involved to reject bullying and violence.
The Odo-Otin APC Progressive Youth, on the other hand, released a statement on the same day that made an opposing claim. They said that thugs who were purportedly loyal to the Accord and Speaker Adewale Egbedun broke into the INEC office in Odo-Otin and tried to disturb the peaceful collection of PVCs.
The group characterised the reported incident as an attack on democratic institutions and an attempt to intimidate citizens from exercising their constitutional rights. They claimed that it occurred during a large turnout of APC supporters and other eligible voters at the INEC office.
The APC youth organization demanded that the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS conduct an inquiry that was “full, independent, and transparent,” and that anyone found guilty be subject to questioning and prosecution regardless of their political affiliation.
As a result, we demand that the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force conduct an impartial, thorough, and open inquiry into the matter at hand.
“When credible evidence surfaces implicating Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun or any other person, it is imperative that they be summoned for interrogation and face legal consequences,” the statement stated.
Osun State Command’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has also strongly denounced the incident and ordered an investigation to find, apprehend, and punish those accountable.
Command spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said that Gotan had disclosed the deployment of tactical and intelligence assets, as well as the intensification of attempts to capture the criminals and retrieve the stolen PVCs.
When carrying out its constitutional duties, the Command will always act professionally and with a firm grasp of the rule of law.
“The public is strongly encouraged to maintain composure, follow the law, and abstain from anything that could escalate the situation.”
The Command emphasised the importance of residents and eyewitnesses reporting to the nearest police station or calling the Command’s emergency lines immediately if they have credible information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
“According to the law, anyone found using these incidents to incite violence or disturb public order will face consequences,” the statement stated.