Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to arrest and prosecute Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, over alleged threats of violence and death against people who are not members or supporters of his party.
Egbedun, while addressing journalists in Osogbo, also stressed the need for the prosecution of the Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, for allegedly promoting violence in Osun State.
The Speaker contended that what should ordinarily be a celebration of democracy, civic participation and the peaceful exercise of the people’s constitutional rights was increasingly being overshadowed by disturbing statements, threats, intimidation, harassment and allegations of attempts to suppress voters.
According to him, the situation is not merely political rhetoric that should be dismissed or ignored, adding that it raises serious concerns about threats to life, voter intimidation and the promotion of political violence ahead of the election.
“As an elected representative of the people, I will not be intimidated by such threats, and neither should any citizen be forced to live in fear because of his or her political preference. The right to vote freely and peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, and no candidate or political actor has the authority to threaten citizens for exercising that right.
“Such statements are completely unacceptable in a democratic society. No political ambition is worth the life of one Osun citizen.
“I am particularly concerned about the video threat made by Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.
“In the said video, Eniade specifically mentioned my name, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, and issued threats against me as well as other eligible voters within the Odo-Otin, Boripe and Ifelodun Federal Constituency.”
Egbedun, however, charged eligible voters in Osun not to be afraid or intimidated, saying, “Do not be afraid. Do not allow any threat, video, statement or act of intimidation to deprive you of your constitutional right to vote.”
