OSOGBO — The residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, was reportedly surrounded by armed security personnel on Saturday as voters across the state went to the polls to elect a governor.
The development was raised by the Imole Campaign Council, which is supporting the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles carrying armed personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and surrounded the premises.
The council further claimed that movement in and out of the residence had been restricted, with those inside reportedly unable to leave.
However, the campaign organisation acknowledged that it had not independently established why the security personnel were deployed to the area or whether their presence was connected to routine security duties.
The council subsequently called on relevant security authorities to provide an immediate explanation for the deployment and clarify the reported restriction of movement at the Speaker’s residence.
According to the campaign council, efforts were made to contact officials responsible for election security, including the Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the election, but the calls were reportedly unsuccessful.
The council also said attempts to reach the Police Situation Room did not yield a response.
The campaign group expressed concern that the reported security presence could heighten tension during the governorship election, stressing that residents should be able to participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.
It appealed to security agencies to conduct their operations professionally and in a manner that would maintain public confidence in the election.
The campaign council also urged residents across Osun to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting an official explanation from the security authorities.
As of the time of reporting, the purpose of the reported deployment around Egbedun’s residence had not been publicly clarified. A state police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said a divisional police officer was being sent to verify the situation.
