Reps Minority Caucus Alleges Intimidation in Osun Polls

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has accused the Federal Government of employing state institutions to intimidate the Osun State Government and opposition in the lead-up to the governorship election scheduled for next week. In a statement signed by Minority Leader Hon. Fredrick Agbedi and Caucus Spokesman Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, they described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a delayed reaction to public pressure.

The caucus pointed out contradictions in the administration's stance on the legality of the EFCC's actions, noting that while EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren claimed the account freeze lacked a valid court order, the President later instructed the agency to vacate that order. They alleged that the Federal Government has withheld statutory allocations to local governments in Osun State and failed to address violence involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The caucus condemned the arrest of Osun government officials and called for a free and fair electoral process, urging civil society and the international community to monitor the elections closely.