Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, on Saturday, called on security operatives to remain neutral amidst alleged reports of voter intimidation by a police officer identified as ‘London.’

Mr Adeleke said this while speaking with journalists in Ede, his hometown.

“The police officer that they brought to come…the APC in Osun, is from Port Harcourt; they call him by his nickname ‘London.’ He’s here in Ede. His own job is to come and destroy Ede, and then avoid, so that they can scare people… so that they block votes,” the governor said.

He called on the Nigerian Police Force to take cognisance of the situation.

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“I’m calling all the security agencies to take note. They should redeploy him,” he said.

The governor noted that the presence of ‘London’ in Osun is not needed; he asked for his redeployment to ensure a free and fair election void of violence.

“We don’t want him in Osun. We don’t want violence in Osun. All we want is free and fair elections so that people can perform their civic duty,” he said.

Mr Adeleke also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure it performs its duty well.

He said, “The pattern of voting should be from units to wards and to local government. Not that they will take local government connections straight to the state capital.

“That is not acceptable. That’s a form of rigging, and I’ve heard it on the authority that the APC has tried to rig and has some fake ballot papers.”

He called on the people of Osun to be mindful of this and to refuse all forms of electoral malpractice.

Mr Adeleke said he received a call in Modakeke and Obaagun that police “are aiding the APC to teargas people so voters should not vote.”

He added, “They took the ballot box and ran away. So we are going to report this to the security agencies. I hope they do something so that they will not turn Osun State into a war zone.”

However, the governor expressed his optimism in winning the poll.

Police deny claim

Responding to the allegation, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of security for the ongoing Osun governorship election, Samuel Erale, refuted claims of security compromise made by Mr Adeleke.

Mr Erale, while addressing journalists, explained that disclosed the presence of “Two seasoned police officers in Ede, namely Gabriel Eliagu and Raymond. He stated that Mr Raymond is the CP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

“He is the CP INEC in Abuja. That is why we sent him to Ede. Because Ede is one of the volatile areas. So, you can imagine,”

Mr Erale emphasised that Mr Raymond is knowledgeable and experienced in election matters and INEC’s ethos.

“Can that kind of person working with INEC compromise? Can he? So, we know what we are doing,” Mr Erale stressed.

He assured that the police are working to ensure the peace of the state during the election.

“The most important thing is that at the end of the day, it is going to be free and fair. Transparent and credible election, that I can promise Nigeria,” he said.

However, the CP noted that no arrests had been made in connection with the election as of the time of reporting.

The Osun State election

A total of 15 parties are on the ballot for the off-cycle election, with the incumbent Mr Adeleke, whose first term ends in November, seeking a fresh mandate on the ticket of the Accord Party.

Two of the candidates- Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of APGA and Simon Adewale of APM – announced their withdrawal from the contest. While Mr Adeyemi-Doro declared support for the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, Mr Adewale is backing Governor Adeleke. However, both the APM and the APGA will still be on the ballot for the election.

The other contenders for the governorship seat, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are Najeem Salaam (ADC), Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA), Esan Olajide (AAC), Adeagbo Opawoye (ADP), Clement Adesuyi (APP), Masilo Adeleke (BP), Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP), Saliu Oyelami (PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP), Adefemi Adesuyi (ZLP), and Francis Olugbenga (SDP), who was added to the list on Wednesday courtesy of a court judgement.

However, the election may be a three-way contest between Messrs Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.