The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedu, on Wednesday chided the lawmaker representing Osun East senatorial district, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, over a recent alleged inciting statement against Accord members in Ijesaland.

Egbedun, who also disclosed that he had filed a petition against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade, said he would not be cowed by any act of intimidation ahead of Saturday’s poll

Addressing a press conference at House of Assembly Complex, alleged that people’s constitutional rights were increasingly being overshadowed by disturbing statements, threats, intimidation, harassment and allegations of attempts to suppress voters.

He expressed worry that what should ordinarily be a celebration of democracy, civic participation and the peaceful exercise of citizens’ right had been become source of fear to the people of Osun State.

Referencing threats attributed to Fadahunsi and Francis Eniade, in a viral video, Egbedun noted that “statements are completely unacceptable in a democratic society.

While disclosing that he had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, the Speaker affirmed that “no political ambition is worth the life of one Osun citizen. I am particularly concerned about the video threat made by Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.

“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.

“As an elected representative of the people, I will not be intimidated by such threats, and neither should any citizen be forced to live in fear because of his or her political preference. The right to vote freely and peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, and no candidate or political actor has the authority to threaten citizens for exercising that rights.

“I, therefore, call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, 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.”