The speaker of the Osun state House of Assembly, Honourable Wale Egbedun, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the arrest and investigation of Francis Eniade, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, over alleged threats of violence against non-party members.

Hon. Egbedun who spoke to journalists in Osogbo, Wednesday expressed deep concern that his name was explicitly mentioned in a viral video circulating online, where Eniade threatened non-APC members.

“In the said video, Eniade specifically mentioned my name, the Speaker of the Osun state House of Assembly, and issued threats against me as well as other eligible voters within the Odo-Otin, Boripe, and Ifelodun Federal Constituency.

“This is not merely political rhetoric that should be dismissed or ignored. It is a matter that raises serious concerns about threats to life, voter intimidation and the promotion of political violence ahead of the election,” Egbedun said. 

Stating his resolve, the Speaker maintained that neither he nor any citizen should be subjected to fear because of their political affiliations. 

He noted that the right to vote freely and peacefully is a constitutional guarantee, adding that no political actor holds the authority to threaten citizens for exercising that right.

“I, therefore, call on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately order the arrest and investigation of Francis Eniade over the threat, particularly given that I was personally mentioned and threatened in the video alongside other eligible voters in the constituency,” he added.

Egbedun stated that his legal team has submitted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities. 

He expressed optimism that law enforcement would act swiftly to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure it is not swept under the carpet.