A stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 15 August Osun State governorship election was disrupted on Wednesday after placard-carrying protesters stormed the venue.
The incident delayed proceedings for nearly 30 minutes shortly after the arrival of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
Demonstrators marched peacefully through the hall displaying banners with messages such as “One man, one vote,” “We don’t want violence,” and “BVAS must work.”
Tensions escalated further during official introductions when the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Gotan Ibrahim, took the stage. His presence sparked mixed reactions, with representatives from several political parties booing him while supporters of one party gave him a standing ovation.
The police chief’s speech was largely drowned out by shouting from the hostile audience following weeks of political violence across the state, which has drawn widespread allegations of police bias.
The disruption comes just a day after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, warned the INEC chief during a courtesy visit that political friction in the state was becoming “unbearable.”
“We do not want to rock the boat,” the monarch said. “We want the election to be peaceful.”
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