Tension reportedly heightened at a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State after armed policemen allegedly fired tear gas at voters, election officials and other stakeholders, disrupting the distribution of election materials.
The incident occurred on Saturday as the Osun State governorship election commenced across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The disruption was reportedly recorded at Ward 10 (Modakeke Ward 3), where election officials and other personnel had gathered at the centre to collect materials and proceed to their respective polling units.
A video of the incident circulated on X early Saturday, with a woman heard shouting that the police were firing tear gas.
A source who spoke on the incident alleged that the police action disrupted the distribution of election materials at the centre.
“The police have started firing tear gas at us at the RAC centre. We had already assembled and were fully prepared to move to our various polling units with the election materials alongside the INEC officials before this unfortunate incident occurred,” the source said.
The source further alleged that the use of tear gas was intended to intimidate voters and election observers and discourage them from participating in the electoral process.
Click the link to watch the video.