Osun Election: Group asks police to investigate Omisore’s ‘masked armed bodyguard’

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, has demanded the investigation of the use of a masked bodyguard as security by Iyiola Omisore, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State. In a petition dated July 8 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the group said a “dangerous trend” is about to be introduced into the political landscape of Nigeria by politicians. “The pertinent questions begging for answers under this circumstance are – who is the masked armed guard?” Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC’s Chairman, said in the petition. “On what grounds was he allowed in public with a mask and ammunition? What are his and Chief Omisore’s intentions? At what point should the citizens, police and the government be concerned? “This singular action raises so many fundamental questions about the level of guaranteed security in the country in general and Osun state in particular. It also undermines the effectiveness of the country’s security apparatus, when a person of Senator Iyiola Omisore, with his affinity to the seat of power and loyalty publicly pledged by the current Police Affairs minister could resort to recruiting and patronizing masked men for his security. “When masked men begin to arm themselves and are spotted at campaign rallies, it turns into a potentially dangerous dimension of electioneering violence which results in a high risk factor that can derail democracy and threaten Nigeria’s corporate existence,” Mr. Suraj added. The All Progressives Congress, APC, had raised alarm over the use of a masked bodyguard by Mr. Omisore during an electioneering campaign last weekend. CSNAC warned that desperate and inept actions of politicians should not be allowed to breach the peace and stability of the country through their action. “Hence, the leadership of security apparatus in the country are duty bound to stem this ugly trend, ahead of the August 9 election in Osun and the country’s 2015 general election,” Mr. Suraju said. “We are therefore, by this petition, drawing the attention of your office to a dangerous trend, about to be introduced into the political landscape of Nigeria by desperate politicians. “Finally, we demand an urgent full scale investigation, by the Nigerian Police force, into the identity of the masked ‘campaign security’ man in question and further enquiry into Chief Omisore’s intent on the use of masked persons at his campaign rallies. Your office is further charged to address security concerns during election campaigns and voting in the State,” he added.