#Osundecides2018: IPC Condemns Process That Gave APC Victory

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has returned Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Osun State governorship election,International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned humiliation of journalists during the exercise which ended Thursday.

Basing its conclusion on media reports,IPC,in a statement signed by its Safety Desk Officer, Melody Akinjiyan,said the anomaly should be corrected before the 2019 general elections.

Referring to media reports, from September 22, 2018,it said, “A mob attacked Oladipo Abiodun a Premium Times election observer at CAC, Ward 3 polling until at Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State.  He was harrased by some persons because they suspected he was taking pictures. Mr. Abiodun’s jacket was torn and his tag was destroyed by hoodlums.

“Kemi Busari, a Premium Times journalist who covered the Osun rerun election,  was briefly arrested by the police this morning for taking pictures at Polling Unit one, Ward 8, Orolu Local Government Area. Mr. Busari who arrived the polling unit at about 7.40a.m. thought it fit to capture the voting process, but this landed him in police custody.

“Some journalists were sent back mid-way on their journey to cover the rerun election in Ifon Osun, Orolu Local Government Area.  They were sent back by police officers who were on the spot to barricade the entrance to the polling unit. The incident happened around 11.30a.m.”

IPC said the barred journalists were from diverse platforms such as Premium Times,  The Cable, Sahara Reporters and some local media. 

IPC Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “The various humiliations faced by journalists during the Osun State governorship election was very unfortunate and an impediment on democracy. The various incidents only portray what is likely going to occur during the forthcoming general election if immediate actions are not taken.”

“We therefore call on all media stakeholders and international agencies to dialogue and chart the way forward for a peaceful environment for journalists to carry out their responsibilities during the general elections,” it added.

IPC once again condemns the humiliation of journalists in the just concluded Osun State governorship election, and demands a public apology from the Nigerian Police Force.