The Imole Campaign Council alleged that more than 10 black Hilux vehicles carrying security personnel arrived at the Speaker’s residence and that the premises was subsequently cordoned off.
According to the campaign council, people inside the residence were allegedly prevented from leaving, although it said it had yet to establish the reason for the security presence.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a statement issued in Osogbo and sighted on Facebook, called for an immediate explanation from the relevant security authorities.
He said it was unclear whether the deployment was part of routine security arrangements or connected with an official operation.
“We therefore call on the relevant security agencies to immediately clarify the purpose of this deployment and the reported restriction of movement at the residence,” Olajengbesi stated.
The council said efforts to reach the Commissioner of Police overseeing election security and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election were unsuccessful. It also claimed that the publicly released telephone number of the Police Situation Room was switched off.
The development, according to the council, was particularly concerning because it occurred on election day, when security agencies were expected to create a peaceful environment for voters to exercise their franchise.
It urged the authorities to ensure that security operations did not create fear or undermine confidence in the electoral process, adding that residents should be free to participate in the election without intimidation.
