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By Tracy Moses
The Osun State governorship election opened on Saturday with strong voter turnout across several parts of the state, even as security agencies intensified operations against activities suspected of undermining the electoral process.
The police announced the arrest of a serving member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence in Ikire.
More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were reportedly recovered from the premises during the operation carried out on Friday night.
The lawmaker, who reportedly represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested alongside the suspects following a police operation based on intelligence.
In a video clip obtained after the arrest, Ibrahim identified himself and allegedly admitted to facilitating the movement of the 146 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states ahead of the election.
The police said the operation formed part of intensified security measures aimed at preventing electoral offences, voter inducement, illegal mobilisation of voters and other activities capable of compromising the credibility of the election.
33 More Suspected Mercenaries Arrested in Ede
In a separate operation, police operatives arrested 33 suspected electoral mercenaries at Babs Hotel, located behind the State High Court in Ede.
The suspects comprised 30 males and three females and were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Robbery Section and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), following what the command described as credible intelligence about the presence of persons allegedly assembled for suspicious electoral activities.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had been brought into Osun from neighbouring Ondo State to participate in unlawful electoral activities.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that they were recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician, who allegedly facilitated the procurement of voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.
Four voters’ cards were recovered from the group and taken into police custody as exhibits.
The two operations brought the number of suspected electoral mercenaries arrested in the separate incidents to 179.
The police said investigations were continuing to identify other accomplices still at large and establish the full extent of the alleged network involved in the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences.
Adeleke Casts Vote
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election, cast his ballot alongside his wife at Polling Unit 9, Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area.
Speaking with journalists after voting, Adeleke described the exercise as peaceful and expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the end of the poll.
His voting was one of the early high-profile moments of the election as voters continued to turn out across the state.
Voters arrived at polling units early, with queues forming in several locations as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed election materials and commenced voting.
Security personnel were also stationed at strategic locations, particularly in areas identified as potential flashpoints, in an effort to prevent violence and ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without intimidation.
The voting process was generally peaceful in areas visited, although isolated skirmishes were reported in some locations, including Modakeke, where security personnel moved in to restore order.
The election is being conducted against a backdrop of heightened political tension, making the security arrangements and the response of law enforcement agencies significant features of the exercise.
PDP Treasurer Commends INEC, Security Agencies
The National Treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Diran Odeyemi, commended INEC and security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, for what he described as prompt and effective efforts to maintain law and order during the election.
Odeyemi, who spoke with journalists in Ibokun, headquarters of Obokun Local Government Area, said the relative calm recorded during the poll was significant given the tensions that characterised the pre-election period.
“During pre-election, we are all aware of the killings, especially targeted at Accord members, and we thank God for the mindset of the governor who never retaliated,” he said.
He also cited several developments that, according to him, had heightened political tensions in the state, including the removal of campaign billboards, the sidelining of local governments, the takeover of garages from the state government and the temporary seizure of Osun government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Despite the billboards being removed and sidelining local government, takeover of garages from a sitting government, temporary seizure of Osun government account by the EFCC, the governor remains resolute and remains with the people,” Odeyemi said.
‘The Will of the People Will Prevail’
Odeyemi acknowledged that there had been isolated incidents during the election but expressed confidence that the overall process would remain peaceful.
“Today is the D-Day. We have received skirmishes here and there. We believe that the will of the people will prevail. We pray that the peace we enjoy in Osun will return fully after the election,” he said.
He also commended INEC for the distribution of election materials, saying the process was progressing well in Ibokun and that voter participation was encouraging.
“The voting exercise is going well. INEC tried their best to distribute the materials. As far as Ibokun is concerned, we have the materials. The turnout is encouraging,” he said.
Odeyemi further disclosed that traditional rulers in Obokun had taken steps before the election to encourage politicians to maintain peace, including the administration of traditional oaths in some communities.
“Before now, the traditional rulers in Obokun carried out traditional oath on all politicians that they will maintain peace. I know of Ibokun, I know of Imesi-Ile, they both vowed the traditional oath of maintaining peace. So, based on this, we are not expecting any crisis,” he said.
The combination of strong voter turnout, heavy security deployment and the arrests announced by the police has made security and electoral integrity central to the early stages of the Osun poll.
While voters in several locations were able to cast their ballots peacefully, the reported arrests and recovery of voters’ cards have raised concerns about alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process through the recruitment and movement of voters.
The police are expected to continue investigations into the alleged electoral networks, while INEC proceeds with voting and the subsequent collation of results.