The Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest by women in the state against alleged indiscriminate arrests and violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Adeleke was joined by women drawn from various groups of traders and artisans as they marched along the Osogbo-Ilobu Road before terminating at the road leading to the Osun State Police Command along the West Bypass.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Eniola Omotosho, were among other government officials who participated in the protest.
The protesters carried placards with messages including “Election is not war”, “Stop indiscriminate arrest of our husbands”, “We want a free and fair election” and “Police must be neutral”.
However, the protesters were prevented from accessing the main entrance of the police command.
They were subsequently received by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, who assured them that the command would look into their concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeleke said the women were demanding a peaceful, free and fair election.
She also called on the police to invite some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for questioning over what she described as rising incidents of violence in the state.
“We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace. Invite APC chieftains for questioning. They should stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking,” she said.
Adeleke further alleged that some political figures had been subjected to unlawful treatment, citing the reported arrest of the Commissioner for Environment.
“Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone,” she said.
The governor’s wife subsequently handed a letter containing the protesters’ demands to the police commissioner.
Responding, Etaifo said the police had been working to reduce tension in the state since his deployment and assured the protesters that their concerns would be considered.
He explained that the Inspector-General of Police had deployed him to Osun ahead of the election because of the heightened political tension in the state.
“I have been here for the past two weeks. The IG was here because of the heightened tension in the state. For the first time in history, the IG directed the CP election to come three weeks to the election,” Etaifo said.
He added that the state had enjoyed relative peace since his arrival but warned that rival protests could further increase tension.
The commissioner said the police would review the protesters’ demands as part of efforts to maintain peace and provide a secure environment for all political actors to participate in the election.
“I have a mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, and create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day,” he said.
Etaifo also warned that anyone found attempting to manipulate the election or violate electoral laws would face arrest and prosecution.
“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst. The IG and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.
While commending the women for conducting what he described as a peaceful protest, the police commissioner urged them to return home to prevent any confrontation or further escalation.
He also directed police officers to escort the protesters back to the point where their march began.
