Osun rerun: PDP agent stabbed, journalists, observers harassed as thugs besiege polling unit; 16 suspects arrested

There was palpable tension in Osogbo on Thursday during the rerun election as some thugs besieged Alekuwodo area of Osogbo.
Ward 5 Unit 17 Polling Unit on Adewale Street in Alekuwodo is one of those where the governorship re-run election is taking place.
The thugs, who could not gain access to the polling unit because of the presence of security men,  however, harassed journalists, observers and passersby.

An agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was stabbed by some of the thugs. His tag was taken away in the confusion.
The vehicle of a local television station from Osun was also damaged by the thugs who wielded bottles and other dangerous cudgels.
The thugs,  believed to belong to rival political parties,  equally turned on themselves, forcing security agents to shoot into the air to disperse them.
Meanwhile, Mr Bello Ahmed, the Police Commissioner in charge of the re-run election in Olode, Ife South Local Government Area, has said security agents were keeping vigil to tackle vote-buying.
Ahmed told newsmen at the Unit 12  Ward 7 Polling Unit  in Olode that anyone caught buying votes would be dealt with.
He,  however,  said that the election process  had been peaceful, adding that  the voters were conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
” We are law abiding and we obey rule of law but anyone who perpetrates crime will be arrested.
“But so far, so good,  the election is going on smoothly,’’ Ahmed said.
Meanwhile, the State PDP Chairman, Soji Adagunodo, has  described the Supplementary election as “the most brazen assault on democracy and biggest robbery  ever witnessed in the history of our state”.
He stated this in a statement on Thursday in Osogbo.
He said the open robbery perpetrated by the All Progressive Congress (APC) aided by security personnel will be resisted by the party.
The PDP chairman explained that thousands of eligible voters were chased away from their homes in Orolu, Ife North and Ife South Local Governments in the early hours of the day.
“Scores of our supporters in those local governments were shot and matcheted on their way to polling centres and in the full glare of security men. Hundreds of people holding PVCs from other polling units were accredited and allowed to vote in Osogbo and Ife South Local Governments. Another PDP agent in Olode was axed and abducted at about 7am today. Media men and election observers were denied access in several polling units. By the time access was granted to journalists  at about 11am, ballot boxes had been stuffed by APC agents acting in connivance with INEC officials.
“It is regrettable that election in seven polling units could not be freely and fairly concluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“We reject any returns of results from this sham and call on INEC authorities in Abuja to direct that the so-called supplementary election result collation be put on hold now.
“We equally invite leaders of thought in Nigeria and the International community to rise up now to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from being ruined.
“We equally call on all members and supporters of our party to resist any attempt to foist a concocted election results on the people of Osun, using all legal means at their disposal”.
In a related development, the state Police Command arrested 16 suspects over illegal possession of customised INEC tags, face caps and jackets as well as PDP membership cards during the re-run election.
The Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Folashade Odoro, in a statement on Thursday in Osogbo, said that the suspects were arrested by the police during routine stop and search in Orolu Local Government.
Odoro said that the suspects used the ‘’official items’’ to gain access to restricted areas meant for accredited personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Police team on stop and search duties at Orolu; intercepted vehicles with sixteen persons on board in possession of customized INEC tags, face cap and jackets with the inscription of “INEC Osun 2018 Election Observer” and PDP membership cards,” she said.
Also, Odoro said there was no truth in the reports making the rounds that some accredited INEC observers were arrested or denied access to polling units.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to debunk report that some accredited INEC Observers were arrested or denied access to polling units.
“Therefore, assuring the good people of Osun State and other critical stakeholders of its renewed commitment and resolve to ensure adequate security for a free and fair re-run election while investigation continues” the police spokesperson said.
According to the PPRO, the 16 suspects are; Moshood Adejare ‘M’ – People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives aspirant in Orolu Federal Constituency, Oyelayo Dayo ‘M’- PDP member Orolu LGA, Olaoye Asimi ‘M’- PDP member Orolu LGA
Others are; Raimi Taofeeq ‘M’-secretary, PDP Orolu LGA, Gbenga Olapade ,Charles Amibiogoiu ‘M’,Ayomide Ayansola ‘M’, Kayode Dada ‘M’, Daramola Segun ‘M’, Tunji Akinroyinmi ‘M’, Kunle ADEDEJI ‘M’, Habeeb Bahiru ‘M’, Yisa Sodiq ‘M’, Adeolu Bamijoko ‘M’, Oladipo Samson ‘M’ and Adeolu Bamidele ‘M’.