Tension over the forthcoming Osun governorship election heightened on Monday as the state First Lady, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, led hundreds of women on a protest to the police headquarters in Osogbo, demanding an end to what they described as political intimidation and alleged targeted arrests.
The women, who marched from the Lameco area through the West Bypass to the police command, were joined by the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Mrs Eniola Omotoso.
The protesters submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo, who is coordinating security arrangements for the August 15 governorship election.
Addressing the police, Adeleke alleged that some political leaders were being targeted for arrest ahead of the election.
She specifically referred to the reported arrest of the Commissioner for Environment last Friday, alleging that the official was subjected to degrading treatment while in custody.
“From what we heard, we learnt that they will start picking our leaders up this week. Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone,” she said.
The First Lady appealed to the police and other security agencies to protect all political actors and voters, stressing the need for an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation during the election.
She urged the security agencies to remain professional and ensure that residents were allowed to exercise their civic rights without harassment.
Responding to the protesters, CP Etaifo assured them that the police command was committed to maintaining peace before, during and after the election.
The commissioner, however, warned that demonstrations or other activities capable of heightening tension could undermine the peace being maintained in the state.
“If you notice, since I came, we have relative peace in the state. But the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace; it will cause tension again,” Etaifo said.
He explained that he was deployed to Osun on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to stabilise the state and provide a secure environment for all political parties, candidates and voters.
“I have the mandate of the Inspector-General of Police to come to the state and stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, to create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day,” he stated.
Etaifo further assured the protesters that the complaints contained in their petition would be examined.
He said the command would review the issues raised and “restrategise to attend to all your demands.”
The development comes as political parties intensify campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Concerns over alleged intimidation, voter safety and the neutrality of security agencies have continued to dominate discussions ahead of the poll.
Stakeholders have consequently called on security agencies to maintain professionalism and impartiality, while ensuring that all eligible voters can freely participate in the election.
The police command reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and providing adequate security throughout the electoral process.
