Osun Election Chaos: Men in Police Uniform Storm Ife RAC Center, Steal Materials
An alleged police invasion at a Registration Area Centre in Ife East Local Government during the Osun State governorship election has prompted calls for investigation. Election materials were reportedly carted away, and tear gas was deployed, leading to demands for action from political figures and campaign councils.
An urgent call for investigation has been made following allegations of armed policemen invading a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ife East Local Government during the ongoing Osun State governorship election. The incident, which reportedly involved the carting away of election materials, occurred at Ife East Ward 10, also known as Modakeke Ward 3.
Hon Bamidele Salam, a member representing Ede North/South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, was among the first to raise the alarm. He shared a video on Facebook purportedly showing policemen loading a vehicle at the location before leaving, with an accompanying voice narrating the events in both English and Yoruba. Salam promptly called upon the Nigeria Police Force to launch an immediate investigation into the claims, stating, “There is an allegation that some of your men in this video just invaded a RAC centre in Ife East Local Government Ward 10 (Modakeke ward 3) and fired tear gas to disrupt distribution of election materials at a RAC centre. The materials have been carted away.” He urged the police to act swiftly to protect the credibility of the electoral process in Osun State.
Further corroborating the account, Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Imole Campaign Council, issued a separate statement. Olajengbesi alleged that police personnel deployed tear gas at individuals who had gathered at the RAC centre, preparing to proceed to their designated polling units with election materials alongside Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials. He urgently appealed to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security authorities to investigate the situation immediately, ensure calm, and facilitate a peaceful electoral process. Olajengbesi firmly asserted that citizens must be allowed to exercise their right to vote without any form of fear or intimidation, while also urging residents at the affected location to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as efforts are made to resolve the challenging situation.