Amid fear of possible violence today, during or after the governorship
election in Osun State, notable politicians have relocated members of their
families out of the State.
Investigations by Saturday Tribune indicated that those who hold
sensitive positions within the ruling All progressives Party (APC) and key
stakeholders in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others,
are involved in the family relocation saga.
A source who craved anonymity, while speaking with Saturday Tribune on
Friday, said various reasons were given for the development.
“A notable politician said his wife, particularly, had a health
challenge. He said in the eventuality that there is any kind of violence, his
wife could develop high blood pressure; that was why he had to move her and the
children out of the state till after the election.
“I can tell you, however, that he is not the only one that has taken
such a step. Many other top politicians have done the same thing. Those who
cannot afford to travel abroad sent their family members to other states like
Oyo, Lagos and Kwara State.
“There is one that I know who chose Ghana. The family travelled by road
on Thursday,” the source said.
Further checks revealed that politicians who relocated their family
members out of Osun State for the election period did so largely on account of
anticipation of skirmishes during the exercise.
It was learnt that the politicians feared that hoodlums could begin to
break into homes of perceived political enemies for vengeance, in case results
are not going in favour of the party they support.
Efforts of our reporter to reach the state’s police command over the
development proved abortive as calls made to Folasade Odoro, the Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO)’s number on Friday morning did not go through.
Despite the heavy deployment of military personnel, agents of the
Department of State Security (DSS), riot policemen and officials of the Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), detectives of the Counter Terrorism Unit
(CTU) to provide water tight security for today’s governorship poll in Osun,
Saturday Tribune investigation indicated that majority of the electorate and
other categories were still gripped with fear and apprehension.
Our correspondent authoritatively gathered that some of the eligible
voters might shun polling units and booths today owing to fears that violence
could erupt in Osun regardless of assurance from the Inspector General of
Police, Mr Sulaiman Abba and other heads of security agencies on the safety of
lives and properties.
Credible sources informed Saturday Tribune that the development might be
connected to threats of violence and inciting statements credited to some
gladiators and stakeholders of few of the political parties.
Though, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission headed
by Professor Attahiru Jega and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in
Osun, Mr Olusegun Agbaje had at different fora insisted that the election would
be peaceful, many are still nursing the fear of a possible breakdown of law and
order.
As of the time this report was being filed, security situation had
heightened in Osogbo, the capital of the state with stern-looking officers of
Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) taking over major streets, frisking motorists and
passengers to checkmate any attempt by desperate politicians to cause mayhem
today.
When our correspondent moved round the major highways, particularly
Gbongan-Ibadan expressway, some of the officers of the CTU, which is under the
supervision of the Police headquarters in Abuja, were spotted using anti bomb
devices to check the underneath of vehicles moving into Osun State.
The development came as more military personnel and riot policemen were
strategically positioned at border towns, including Ikire end of Ibadan, Ilesa
and Ila-Odo end bordering Kwara State to mount surveillance on vehicular
movements into the state.
Though, the motive behind the deployment of the CTU officers could
not be ascertained as of the time this report was being filed, Saturday Tribune
authoritatively gathered that inciting outbursts of some gladiators might
have informed the action.
One of the sources informed our correspondent that 15,000 soldiers,
30,000 policemen, 1,000 operatives of SSS and 20,000 men and
officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), coupled
with 100 sniffer dogs are already on ground for today’s poll.