Gov’s wife leads protest against violence

On Monday, the wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs. Titi Adeleke, spearheaded a protest at the Police Headquarters, calling for an end to political violence in the state. A crowd of mostly women, holding placards with various messages, blocked the entrance of the police headquarters to make their demands heard.

The protest aimed to secure a peaceful, free, and fair election held on Saturday. Mrs. Adeleke emphasized the need for peace, stating, "We want peace; let there be peace." She also criticized the recent actions of law enforcement, alleging that they had arrested the Commissioner for Environment last week Friday. This action, according to Mrs. Adeleke, was not acceptable, and she demanded that the authorities leave the people in peace.

The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale Etaifo, responded to the protesters' concerns. He expressed his utmost respect for women and assured them of the police's commitment to ensuring a credible election. Etaifo explained that he had been present in the state for the past two weeks, during which time the Inspector General of Police had directed the Election Commissioner to arrive three weeks prior to the election. He acknowledged that since his arrival, the state had experienced a relative peace.

Etaifo warned the protesters that tolerating the violence would only cause further tension. He cautioned that if both parties met, it could result in more violence. Etaifo suggested that they reassess their demands and find a peaceful resolution. He also explained that their concerns about killings were unfounded, as there had been no reported incidents of violence.

Etaifo emphasized that the government's goal was to create an enabling environment for all political actors to exercise their franchise and maintain public confidence in the election. He stated that if anyone attempted to manipulate the election, they would face severe consequences. Etaifo pledged to arrest and take the manipulator to Abuja, as the federal election demanded a high level of integrity.

Despite the protesters' peaceful demeanor, Etaifo urged them to return to their original location to avoid any potential harm. He assured them that his men would escort them back safely.