Osun Election: Reps minority caucus raises alarm over alleged intimidation

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By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

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The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has raised concerns over what it described as alleged intimidation of the Osun State Government ahead of next week’s governorship election.

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In a statement jointly signed on Friday by the Minority Leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, and the Caucus Spokesman, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the lawmakers criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts, describing it as an “afterthought.”

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The caucus argued that the President’s intervention came only after public criticism of the EFCC’s action, adding that it raised questions over the legality of the initial decision.

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The lawmakers cited comments attributed to EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren that the accounts were frozen without a valid court order, noting that the President later directed the commission to approach the court to vacate the order.

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The caucus questioned the conflicting explanations surrounding the issue, asking whether a court order existed at the time the accounts were frozen and whether the President was fully aware of the actions of his appointees.

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The lawmakers also alleged a pattern of actions by the Federal Government that they claimed amounted to pressure on Osun State ahead of the election.

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They cited the alleged withholding of statutory allocations meant for local governments in the state, describing it as a move capable of affecting grassroots administration.

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The caucus further alleged that political violence involving some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other groups had continued in the state, accusing security agencies of failing to respond adequately.

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It also criticised the arrest and detention of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and others, describing the development as an attack on the state government’s institution.

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The lawmakers faulted the conduct of the Osun State Commissioner of Police and expressed concern over allegations made after the Inspector-General of Police’s visit to the state that the government was harbouring suspected criminals.

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“This is not policing. It is partisan propaganda in uniform,” the caucus said.

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The opposition lawmakers warned that the actions of some government officials could affect public confidence in the administration.

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“The mask is off. Nigerians can now see clearly that the APC has weaponised federal institutions against opposition states — a dress rehearsal of what is to come in the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.

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The caucus called on relevant stakeholders to ensure that Osun residents are allowed to exercise their voting rights freely and without intimidation.

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“The people of Osun should be given the enabling environment to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote, without fear, coercion or voter apathy,” it said.

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It urged civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor developments before, during and after the election, while calling for accountability in the event of any breach of peace.

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“Osun people will vote. Osun people will be protected. And democracy will prevail,” the statement concluded.

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