Osun Election: Sowore Accuses Police of Teargassing Him

Omoyele Sowore has accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of firing tear gas at him and his supporters while they were travelling to Osogbo, Osun State, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Sowore made the allegation in a post shared on his verified X account on Wednesday.

He claimed that the police officers attacked his group despite what he described as a peaceful conversation with them before they continued their journey to the state capital.

“Despite our having a respectful and peaceful conversation with them, they secretly fired tear gas at us as we continued on our journey,” Sowore wrote.

The former presidential candidate said the alleged action did not prevent him and his supporters from reaching Osogbo.

“But their intimidation failed. We pushed through, arrived in Oshogbo and triumphed,” he stated.

Sowore criticised the conduct of the police officers, arguing that security personnel deployed for the election should protect citizens and safeguard the democratic process.

“The police should be protecting citizens and safeguarding the democratic process, not attacking peaceful political actors,” he wrote.

The allegation comes amid heightened political tension and concerns over security ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Several political parties and civil society groups have raised concerns about alleged intimidation, violence and the deployment of security personnel during the election period.

Security agencies have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order before, during and after the poll.

Sowore’s allegation could further fuel concerns among opposition parties and political actors over the neutrality and conduct of security agencies during the election.

The police have not, in the information provided, issued a response to Sowore’s allegation.

The Osun governorship election is expected to feature a closely contested race involving the major political parties, with security and electoral credibility remaining key issues ahead of voting.

Political actors have continued to call for restraint and urged security agencies to ensure that eligible voters and candidates can participate freely without intimidation or obstruction.