Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo
The peaceful atmosphere that characterised the Osun State governorship was almost marred in the early hours of this morning, following a gunshot at Osogbo LG collation centre.
The collation centre is directly opposite the state’s Government House.
Collation was going on smoothly, with results of 12 wards out of the 15 wards in Osogbo council already in when a loud gunshot was heard from outside, leaving journalists, INEC officials and observers to scamper for safety.
Most of the those inside the collation centre had no idea of what transpired outside. But those who later came inside disclosed that some hoodlums had attempted invading the INEC office, but had to be dispersed by security operatives.
This account was confirmed by a senior Police officer who came to assure those inside the collation centre of their safety.
But the hoodlums were however said to have succeed in destroying some vehicles’ windscreen before leaving the area.
Before the gun shot, the state chairman of one of the leading political parties in the state had come into the collation centre to complain of the alleged plan by a rival party to temper with results from Wards 4 and 5.
The commotion occurred less than 20 minutes after he left the premises. But before leaving, he told the party’s agents at the collation centre that ” do not accept the results of Wards 4 and 5 without clearance from me. There is an issue. They are trying to temper with the results. ”
As at the time of filing this report at 2.36 am, calm has been restored. But the results of Wards 4 and 5 , were yet to be collated.