Police officers questioned Osun State House of Assembly member Abiola Ibrahim early Saturday after about 146 people identified as intending voters were found gathered at a private residence in Ikire during the state governorship election.
The incident happened as voting began in local government areas across Osun State, with security operatives confronting Ibrahim, who represents Irewole/Isokan Constituency, over the presence of the crowd at the property. The encounter was captured in a viral video circulating on social media.
The gathering drew security checks because police had warned political actors against voter intimidation, thuggery, electoral offences and unlawful mobilisation before the election.
The Nigeria Police Force had also deployed senior commanders to supervise security operations throughout the poll.
Lawmaker says voters included locals and outsiders
In the footage, armed and uniformed officers were seen questioning Ibrahim at the residence. He identified the property as belonging to his late father, Raji Ibrahim.
The people at the location were seen sitting on the floor as officers questioned the lawmaker about why they had gathered there on election day. Ibrahim told the officers that the people had come to vote.
“They are voters for the election happening today,” he said.
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The officers then asked whether those present were registered voters living in the local Ikire area. Ibrahim acknowledged that the group included both people from the community and others from outside.
“Some of them are, some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything,” he said.
The questioning also covered the political identity of the people at the residence and whether Ibrahim was organising them to vote for a particular candidate.
Ibrahim said each person would decide how to vote.
“Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” he told the officers.
He also confirmed that he belonged to the Accord Party.
The footage showed security personnel holding Permanent Voter Cards. Ibrahim identified the cards as belonging to the people found at the property.
The encounter occurred against the security arrangements put in place for the governorship election. Police authorities had warned against activities that could interfere with voting or violate electoral rules.
Before the election, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu assigned Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ishyaku Mohammed to lead security operations in Osun.
The police command also warned political actors against voter intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences.
The Ikire incident therefore placed the presence of a large group of voters at a private property under direct police questioning on polling day.
The footage did not establish that the people had been paid or instructed to vote for a particular candidate, but it showed that officers sought explanations from the lawmaker about their presence and political status.
The election was already underway when the confrontation occurred, with voting taking place in the state’s local government areas.
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