Osun guber poll: Protesters storm INEC stakeholders’ meeting, boo CP

By Lateef Ibrahim

Proceedings at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage stakeholders on the peaceful conduct of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, was halted for about 30 minutes, following protest by some placard carrying individuals.
It was gathered that shortly after the arrival of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, protesters stormed the venue, demanding peaceful conduct of the election.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards included: “One man one Vote,” “We don’t want violence,” “INEC give us free election,” and “BVAS must work,” among others.
The protest was however peaceful as the protesters went round the hall displaying their placards.
The introduction of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Gotan Ibrahim was however received with mixed reactions.
While almost other political parties present booed him, only supporters of one political party gave him standing ovation.
Osun State, it will be recalled, has been greeted with violence in the last five weeks, with some people accusing the police of bias.
The Police commissioner’s speech was also drowned by booing and shouting of the hostile crowd.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi had on Tuesday, told the INEC Chairman that political tension in Osun State is unbearable.
“Political tension in Osun is very unbearable for us. We do not want to rock the boat. We want to election to be peaceful,” the royal father stated.