OSUN RUN-OFF: Anxiety as journalists, observers ‘caged’, arrested

There is anxiety in some parts of Osun State over the run-off elections following reports that journalists and election monitors are being prevented from operating in some polling units.

A number of independent observers, journalists and media houses have expressed reservations about the credibility of the Osun run-off exercise following the development.

The run-off is being conducted in about seven polling units of four local government areas of the state, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Saturday’s governorship election in the state inconclusive.

Read also: OSUN RUN-OFF: Foretelling the governor-elect

The exercise is to produce a clear winner between Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The affected local government areas are Ife North (1 polling unit, 353 registered voters); Ife South (2 units, 1314 registered voters); Orolu (3 units, 947 registered voters); and Osogbo (1 unit, 884 registered voters).

However, the run-off which has witnessed a large turn out of voters is being threatened by issues of credibility, as security agents are being accused of ‘closing up’ some affected poling units, and arresting journalists found within such areas.

INEC has also reacted to the allegations, and said it will take up the issue with the security agencies involved in efforts to get to the root of the matter.

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