Some voters and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have reportedly been tear-gassed by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force at a Registration Area Centre in Ife East Ward 10, Modakeke Ward 3, Osun State.
The incident was disclosed on Saturday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, in a statement accompanied by video footage purportedly showing the incident.
According to Olajengbesi, those affected had gathered at the RAC centre and were preparing to proceed to their respective polling units with election materials alongside INEC officials when the police allegedly fired tear gas.
“We have received a disturbing report, accompanied by video footage, alleging that Police personnel fired tear gas at persons assembled at the RAC Centre in Ife East Ward 10 (Modakeke Ward 3),” the statement said.
The campaign council called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security authorities to immediately investigate the incident and take steps to restore calm at the centre.
It stressed that voters must be allowed to exercise their franchise without fear, intimidation or interference, while urging everyone at the location to remain calm and law-abiding.
“The people must be allowed to exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.
“We urge everyone at the location to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding,’’ the statement concluded.
The development occurred as Osun residents went to the polls on Saturday to elect the next governor of the state, with 15 candidates participating in the election.
Among the leading contenders are the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The latest allegation came hours after the Imole Campaign Council raised another security alert over the reported deployment of armed security personnel to the residence of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
The council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles carrying armed security personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and surrounded the premises, reportedly restricting movement in and out of the building.
However, the campaign council acknowledged that it had not independently established the purpose of the deployment, noting that it was unclear whether the operatives were providing security or carrying out official duties.
It consequently demanded an immediate explanation from the relevant security authorities over the deployment and the alleged restriction of movement.
According to the council, attempts to contact the Commissioner of Police responsible for the election, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the poll and the Police Situation Room were unsuccessful.
The council said the development was particularly concerning because it occurred on Election Day, when residents were expected to freely participate in the democratic process.
It urged security agencies to ensure that their operations promoted confidence in the electoral process rather than create fear among voters and political actors.
The campaign council also appealed to residents and political parties to remain peaceful 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,” it added.
