Tension has been reported at a Registration Area Centre in Ife East Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun state following allegations that police operatives invaded the facility and fired tear gas while election materials were being distributed ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred at Ife East Ward 10, also known as Modakeke Ward 3, where Independent National Electoral Commission officials and other election personnel had gathered to organise the movement of election materials to polling units. Blueprint reports

A video circulating online shows armed police operatives at the location, with reports alleging that the presence of the officers disrupted activities at the RAC centre.

However, an INEC official at a polling unit in the same Modakeke area has dismissed reports of disruption at the voting point, saying the electoral process was proceeding normally.

INEC official dismisses disruption report

As of 10:01am, an INEC official at Polling Unit 10, Modakeke III, Registration Area 10, Urban Day Grammar School, Modakeke, Ife East LGA, reportedly said there had been no disruption at the polling unit since voting commenced at about 8:30am.

The official’s account provides an important perspective amid reports of disturbances in the wider Ife East area.

According to the official, voting had continued at the polling unit without any disruption, indicating that voters and electoral officials were able to carry on with the voting process.

The clarification is significant because the reported incident at the RAC centre occurred in the same local government and Modakeke area, although there is no indication that the INEC official was referring specifically to the alleged confrontation at the RAC centre.

The development therefore presents two separate accounts that need to be distinguished as the situation unfolds.

Alleged tear gas incident at RAC centre

Reports from the RAC centre alleged that police operatives fired tear gas at voters, election officials and other stakeholders who had gathered at the location.

According to reports, those present had assembled to proceed to their respective polling units alongside INEC officials and election materials when the alleged incident occurred.

The development generated concern because RAC centres play an important role in INEC’s election-day logistics, serving as points where election officials and materials are organised before deployment to polling units.

Any significant disruption at such a location could potentially affect the timely commencement of voting at polling units within the affected registration area.

The Sun reported that palpable tension enveloped the centre after armed policemen allegedly fired tear gas, while other reports also linked the incident to an alleged disruption of the distribution of election materials.

However, the circumstances surrounding the police presence remain unclear.

Video fuels controversy

A video circulating on social media has become central to the controversy.

The footage shows police operatives at the location, while voices heard in the video appear to describe an ongoing confrontation.

The Whistler reported that a video shared by House of Representatives member Bamidele Salam showed policemen loading a vehicle before leaving the location. The lawmaker subsequently called for an investigation into the incident.

However, the footage alone does not establish the reason for the police presence, whether tear gas was fired by the officers or whether election materials were unlawfully removed from the centre.

Those issues require confirmation from the police, INEC and eyewitnesses who were physically present at the RAC centre.

Bamidele Salam demands investigation

The alleged incident has attracted the attention of Bamidele Salam, member of the House of Representatives representing Ede North/South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

Salam has called for an investigation into the reported police action.

His intervention has added a political dimension to an already sensitive development, particularly because political actors in Osun have previously raised concerns over the conduct of security personnel ahead of the governorship election.

The latest allegation is likely to increase calls for the police and other relevant authorities to explain what happened at the Modakeke RAC centre.

INEC position crucial to resolving controversy

The response from the INEC official at Polling Unit 10 is particularly important because the Commission is responsible for the conduct and administration of the election.

While the official’s statement does not independently resolve what happened at the RAC centre, it indicates that voting was continuing at the polling unit despite the reports emerging from the wider Modakeke area.

The fact that voting reportedly commenced at about 8:30am and was still ongoing without disruption as of 10:01am suggests that, at least at that particular polling unit, electoral activities had not been halted.

This distinction is important in reporting the incident because an alleged disruption at a RAC centre should not automatically be presented as a disruption of voting across the entire registration area.

The available information therefore points to the need for further clarification from INEC on whether the alleged incident affected the deployment of materials to any polling units, whether voting was delayed at any location and whether all INEC personnel were able to reach their assigned polling units.

What remains unclear

Several questions remain unanswered regarding the alleged incident.

It is not yet clear why the police operatives went to the RAC centre, whether they were responding to a specific security threat, whether tear gas was deployed and, if so, who authorised its use.

It is also unclear whether any INEC officials were assaulted, whether anyone was arrested or injured, or whether election materials were removed from the centre.

Most importantly, there is yet to be a clear official account establishing whether the alleged police action actually prevented INEC officials from moving materials to polling units.

These details are necessary before the allegation can be conclusively described as an attempt to disrupt the election.

Police neutrality under scrutiny

The development has nonetheless renewed attention on the role of security agencies during the Osun governorship election.

Security personnel have been deployed across the state to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials and other stakeholders.

Their presence is necessary to maintain law and order, but election observers and political parties expect security agencies to remain neutral and ensure that their activities do not interfere with the rights of voters or the statutory responsibilities of INEC.

The controversy in Modakeke therefore places additional pressure on the police to explain any operation that may have affected election personnel or materials.

Voting continues in Modakeke

Despite the reports surrounding the RAC centre, voting was continuing at Polling Unit 10, Modakeke III, as of 10:01am, according to the INEC official at the location.

The official’s account provides a measure of reassurance that electoral activities were proceeding at that polling unit.

Voters continued to participate in the process as election officials carried out their responsibilities.

The situation, however, remains fluid, and developments at the RAC centre could have implications for other polling units if the allegations concerning the movement of materials are eventually established.

Calls for official clarification

The incident has highlighted the importance of prompt communication from INEC and the Nigeria Police Force during the election.

A clear statement from INEC on the status of election materials in Ife East, particularly Ward 10/Modakeke Ward 3, would help establish whether the alleged confrontation affected the electoral process.

Similarly, a statement from the police would be necessary to explain the purpose of the deployment and respond to allegations that its personnel fired tear gas at people gathered at the RAC centre.

For now, the available reports establish that an alleged confrontation occurred at the RAC centre, while an INEC official at a nearby Modakeke polling unit said voting had continued without disruption since about 8:30am.

The two developments should therefore be treated separately until INEC or another competent authority establishes whether the reported RAC-centre incident had any direct impact on voting or the distribution of election materials.

The Osun governorship election is continuing across the state, with voters expected to cast their ballots peacefully as INEC officials and security agencies work to complete the electoral process.