NLC Condemns Heavy Armed Security Agents In Osun State

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reacted to the deployment of heavy armed security agents in Osun State ahead of the governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had deployed armed soldiers and policemen to Osun prior to the gubernatorial polls holding in the western state on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

In spite of complaints and criticisms  by the All Progressive Congress, APC, and political analysts respectively, the Federal Government has not withdrawn the armed security agents rather it said decision was made to ensure a free and fair election in Osun.

* NLC president Comrade Abduwahed Omar

While commenting on the development on Friday, August 8, 2014, the NLC said it is worried by the deployment of armed security men and women to Osun State.

According to a statement released by NLC president, Comrade Abduwahed Omar, the union said the deployment of armed security agents to Osun cannot be helpful to the growth of any democratic culture as it portends an infringement on the rights of the electorate who may refuse to participate in the election as a result of the intimidating presence of armed security agents.

* Minister Obanikoro

“More worrisome is the reported shootings across the state capital by officers of the State Security Service (SSS) shortly after arriving the state for election-related duties. We wonder why the SSS had to waste bullets shooting sporadically to scare residents who were not engaged in any form of violence at the time of the shootings,” the union stated.

The statement also stressed that in as much as elections are very important to any democracy: “We caution that the state should not be turned into a war.”

The APC had since released a statement where it said the deployment of heavy soldiers and policemen and to Osun was an attempt by the PDP-led Federal Government to rig the state's gubernatorial polls.

However, the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, while responding to why there was heavy presence of security agents in Osun, said the move was to make sure that there is no breakdown of law and order in Osun state before, during and after the governorship election.

* File photo

Political analysts believe the Osun election would be a close contest between APC's candidate, the incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and the PDP candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Source: Legit.ng