Police Allege Plot By Politicians To Disrupt Osun Rerun

The Police in Osun State has alleged that Politicians are planning to make Osun State re-run election turn out violent, deadly and unpeaceful by arming thugs ahead of the Thursday election.

The Police, however warned that it will not stand and allow anything that will undermine the process or cause breach of public peace.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations and Security Coordinator for the election Joshak Habila, while amonishing the people of the state to go on with their lawful duties, said they will not let their guards down.

Habila noted that Saturday’s election was free, fair and peaceful, save for few incidents of “breach of peace and threat to life and property.”

He added that the security agency will not allow ineligible voters of officials near polling units in the areas where rerun would take place.

“The election was however declared inconclusive by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a re-run election fixed for Thursday September 27. The election will take place in seven polling units scattered in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. These are Ife North, Ife South, Orolu and Osogbo Local Government Areas.

“We have an intelligence report that, there is a grand plan to turn the election gruesomely violent and deadly by arming thugs to unleash mayhem at polling centers. As law enforcement agencies, the police and other security agencies would not permit the breakdown of law and order.

“Those of them preparing for “fire for fire” must be ready to bear the consequences of their actions which are designed to undermine this particular democratic process. “It should be noted that the Nigeria Police Force will remain proactive and would not rest on its oars in the task to decode the identities of those democratic enemies.

“Residents are requested to be law abiding and go about their lawful duties without fear and with the full assurance of the protection of law abiding citizens and voters who are out there to exercise their franchise.

“The Police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed to maintain law and order and protect lives and property of residents.” he said.

Continuing, the DIG appealed to residents to report all suspicious activities to the police, such as solicitation for votes, buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and any plan to rig or disrupt the election.

“Troublemakers and other interlopers are warned to keep away from the polling units and indeed from any part of the state. The police and other security agencies will leave no stone unturned to protect lives and property and maintain peace,” he said.

Continuing, the DIG appealed to residents to report all suspicious activities to the police, such as solicitation for votes, buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and any plan to rig or disrupt the election.

“Troublemakers and other interlopers are warned to keep away from the polling units and indeed from any part of the state. The police and other security agencies will leave no stone unturned to protect lives and property and maintain peace,” he said.