House of Reps Minority Caucus Raises Alarm Over Federal intrusion into Osun State Affairs Ahead of The Forth Coming Election

 

 By Wilson Macaulay

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has raised serious concerns over what it described as the alleged misuse of federal security and anti-corruption agencies ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, warning that the credibility of the poll could be undermined if such actions continue.

The caucus, in a statement issued in Abuja, expressed concern over the recent activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and other federal agencies in Osun State, alleging that their operations appeared targeted at opposition-controlled institutions and political actors.

According to the lawmakers, the deployment and actions of the agencies have created widespread apprehension among residents and political stakeholders, with fears that they could be used to intimidate government officials, suppress legitimate political activities and influence the electoral process.

The Minority Caucus maintained that democratic elections must be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and neutrality, stressing that federal institutions should remain professional, impartial and insulated from partisan interests.

While acknowledging the constitutional mandate of the EFCC and the police to enforce the law, the lawmakers insisted that such powers must not be deployed selectively or in a manner capable of creating the impression of political persecution.

The caucus called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State before, during and after the governorship election to ensure that the will of the electorate prevails.

The lawmakers also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that all federal agencies operate strictly within the bounds of the law and uphold the principles of democracy by guaranteeing a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.

Reaffirming their commitment to Nigeria's democratic growth, the Minority Caucus appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of causing violence or disrupting the electoral process.

The caucus emphasized that the integrity of the Osun governorship election would serve as another important test of Nigeria's democratic institutions, adding that only a transparent, credible and violence-free poll would strengthen public confidence in the nation's electoral system.