Armed personnel have surrounded Osun Speaker’s residence – Adeleke camp

The Adeleke Campaign Council has raised the alarm over the alleged deployment of armed security personnel to the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on Saturday as the state holds its governorship election.

The campaign council, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that the security personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence in more than 10 black Hilux vehicles and subsequently surrounded the premises.

According to the council, the residence was effectively sealed off, with people inside allegedly prevented from leaving.

However, the campaign council said it was unable to independently establish the purpose of the deployment or determine whether the personnel were providing security or acting in an official capacity.

“We have received reports that the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has been surrounded by armed security personnel who reportedly arrived in more than 10 black Hilux vehicles,” the statement said.

“We have also been informed that the residence has effectively been sealed off, with everyone inside reportedly prevented from leaving the premises.”

The council called on the relevant security authorities to immediately explain the reason for the reported deployment and restriction of movement around the Speaker’s residence.

Olajengbesi said efforts to contact the Commissioner of Police responsible for election security in Osun State and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the election were unsuccessful.

He also said attempts to reach the Police Situation Room were unsuccessful, adding that the publicly provided telephone number was switched off.

The campaign council urged security agencies to conduct their operations in a manner that would not create fear or intimidation among residents on election day.

“On this Election Day, the people of Osun State deserve an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation. Security deployments must inspire confidence and protect the integrity of the electoral process,” it said.

The council further appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting clarification from the security authorities.

“The people of Osun State must be allowed to come out peacefully and decide their future according to their own conscience, without intimidation or interference,” the statement added.