Osun poll: APC big guns storm Osogbo as police warn against inflammatory rhetoric

Osun poll: APC big guns storm Osogbo as police warn against inflammatory rhetoric

 

OSOGBO: Tension and political activity intensified in Osun State on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and more than 10 governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) converged on Osogbo for the party’s mega rally, even as the police issued a stern warning against inflammatory comments capable of triggering violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

 

The high-powered APC mobilisation also attracted the attention of Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who reacted to the arrival of the party’s heavyweights in the state capital.

 

Akpabio, Yilwatda and the APC governors were among prominent party leaders who stormed Osogbo to rally support for the party ahead of the keenly contested election.

 

Their arrival came against the backdrop of heightened political activities and growing concerns over possible tension in the final hours of the campaign.

 

The concerns prompted the Osun State Police Commissioner for Election, CP Samuel Etaifo, to warn politicians, candidates and their supporters against statements or actions capable of inflaming the political atmosphere.

 

Etaifo’s warning followed an invitation extended to the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, over alleged inciteful comments against members of the Accord Party in Ilesa on Tuesday.

 

In a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the police commissioner urged political leaders and public office holders to exercise restraint at what he described as a critical period of the electoral process.

 

“At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements put in place for the forthcoming election,” Etaifo said.

 

He warned that the police would not tolerate any act, utterance or conduct capable of inciting violence, disrupting public peace or threatening the security of the state.

 

According to him, the invitation extended to Fadahunsi was intended to obtain clarification on the alleged statement and promote mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security.

 

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has invited Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the statement and to foster mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security,” Ojelabi quoted the CP as saying.

 

Etaifo stressed that the invitation should not be misconstrued as intimidation, but as part of proactive measures to prevent the escalation of tensions and ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

 

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of democratic values throughout the electoral process.

 

The commissioner called on all political actors, their supporters and residents to remain law-abiding, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and pursue grievances through lawful channels.

 

The developments come just days before Saturday’s election, with political parties intensifying their final mobilisation efforts and security agencies stepping up measures to prevent violence before, during and after the poll.