The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has called on the international community to closely monitor developments in the state and defend democracy amid allegations of attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors.
Egbedun made the call at a press conference on Friday while expressing concern over what he described as disturbing reports of attacks in Odo Otin Local Government Area within the past 48 hours.
The Speaker alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin Local Government had been moving through communities and targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform.
He, however, stressed that the allegations should not be politicised, but subjected to immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.
According to him, one of the reported incidents involved the invasion of the residence of Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, popularly known as Mama Mi Leko, an elder sister of former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
He alleged that two of her children were taken away during the incident.
Egbedun also listed alleged attacks involving Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale, popularly known as Lawesco; Fasola Femi, also known as Odofin; and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo, known as Action.
He said gunshots were reportedly fired during the incidents, while Ajimoti’s dog was killed.
The Speaker said the alleged incidents were unacceptable, stressing that no Nigerian should live in fear because of his or her political affiliation, age, social status or location.
Egbedun also raised concern over the reported release of three armed men who, according to him, confessed to working for Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate whom he accused of previously threatening him in a video circulated on social media.
He said the three suspects were arrested in Okuku a few days ago with two pump-action firearms and were personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
The Speaker expressed concern over reports that the suspects had subsequently been released.
He further alleged that there had been an attempt to intimidate him from making public a video containing the suspects’ alleged confessional statements.
“These are serious matters that deserve institutional scrutiny rather than secrecy,” Egbedun said.
He declared that he would not be intimidated from demanding that the truth be established, adding that anyone found to have committed an offence should be made to face the law.
Egbedun warned that democracy could not survive in an atmosphere where citizens were intimidated into silence or where political actors feared attacks, arbitrary arrests or the alleged partisan deployment of security agencies.
He therefore called on the Federal Government, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and make their findings public.
The Speaker also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, election observers, diplomatic missions and credible international human rights organisations to closely monitor developments in Osun and independently document any alleged violations of citizens’ rights.
He urged the international community not to wait until violence became irreversible before intervening, stressing that the protection of democracy must begin with the protection of ordinary citizens.
“Our appeal is not for the international community to take sides with any political party. Our appeal is for the international community to stand on the side of truth, human rights, constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
Egbedun reaffirmed his commitment, as Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, to defending the constitutional rights of the people and demanding accountability from institutions responsible for protecting citizens.
“We ask the world to watch Osun State closely. We ask our security agencies to act professionally and impartially. Democracy must not be allowed to become a casualty of political ambition,” he added.
Ends
