Osun election: Accord lawmaker arrested over alleged mobilisation of 300 voters

The Osun Police Command has arrested Abiola Ibrahim, an elected representative in the state’s house of assembly, due to allegations of importing at least 300 persons to vote in Saturday’s governorship election.

Abiola, Accord Party member who is a representative of Irewole/Isokan Constituency in the House of Assembly, was arrested last night along with the mob of suspected electoral mercenaries who were arrested at his Ikire residence.

It was reported that over 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were seized during the operation.

A video clip released by PUNCH on X shows the lawmaker giving a preliminary statement where he introduced himself and confessed to having arranged for the importation of about 146 persons from neighboring states to participate in the governorship election in Osun State.

The arrest comes amid intensified security operations across the state ahead of the poll, with authorities seeking to prevent activities capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

Abiodun Ojelabi, police spokesperson in Osun, told journalists that the command had earlier received a complaint from the speaker of the state house of assembly that armed men had besieged his residence.

Ojelabi said police operatives were dispatched to the area but could not confirm the allegation.

“We had gotten a complaint and immediately, the complaint unit of the Nigeria Police Force swung into action,” he said.

“We contacted the DPO of that area and directed him to proceed to the residence of the speaker of the Osun house of assembly, following the alarm he raised that armed men had besieged his house.

“But we could not confirm that allegation.”

The police spokesperson said operatives arrested a group of people at the residence of a “political stakeholder”.

Ojelabi said the state remains peaceful and urged residents to come out and exercise their franchise.

“However, we also made an arrest at a stakeholder’s residence, where we located 300 unaccounted individuals. Presently, we are profiling them,” he said.

“Osun remains very calm and we urge residents to come out en masse to vote.”

Osun votes to elect a governor today in a closely contested race involving incumbent and Accord member Ademola Adeleke; and Bola Oyebamiji, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The election is being held across the state’s 30 local government areas, with 15 candidates vying for the governorship seat.