Security tightened in Osogbo ahead of Aregbesola-Omisore tribunal judgement

Security was beefed up in Osogbo on Friday as the Election Petition Tribunal prepared to deliver its judgment on the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state.

Roads leading to the premises of the state high court, venue of the tribunal’s sitting, were manned by security operatives.

Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), instituted the suit against Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Omisore, who came second in the election with 292,747 votes as against Aregbesola’s 394,684 votes, prayed the tribunal to sack the governor and declare him the winner of the poll.

Those entering the premises were subjected to a thorough search by security men while those who did not have genuine identification cards were turned back.

Journalists were also searched and allowed to go in after presenting their identification cards.

According to NAN, mobile and regular policemen, officers of the Nigeria security and civil defence corps and operatives of the state security service, were also sighted at strategic locations in the town.

Meanwhile, the police in the state have warned supporters of both APC and PDP against fomenting trouble after the tribunal’s judgment.

Folasade Odoro, public relations officer of the police, gave the warning in a telephone interview with NAN in Osogbo.

She said anybody caught fomenting trouble would face the full weight of the law, as the police planned to ensure adequate security.