OSUN HIGH-STAKES POLL: Tinubu urges security agencies to protect INEC officials, voters  

 

*CSOs sue for peaceful, transparent exercise

 

BY ORIAKU IJELE & MIKE DIKE

Fever-pitch tension enveloped major cities of Osun State Friday ahead of the gubernatorial election, which observers believe hold high stakes due to what it portends to the general election in 2027. Aside from being pricey for President Bola Tinubu, who hails from the state and would be seeking a re-election in 2027, it is also the home state of Rauf Aregbesola, a former ally of Tinubu’s who has jumped ship to pitch his political tent with Atiku’s ADC. These factors have made the struggle for power in the state somewhat intense in the past weeks leading to clashes, intimidation and in some instances, death.

 

Following this, President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies to ensure a peaceful and transparent election in Osun State.

President Tinubu also charged the electorate in Osun State to come out to discharge their civic responsibility and eschew any act that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election, while assuring the people of their safety before and after the polls.

“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election. The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” the President said.

“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he added.

“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units.  No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation.

“Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” President Tinubu declared.

 

In a related development, acivil society organisation, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, has called on stakeholders in the Osun governorship election to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process throughout the election period.

The Convener, Yunusa Ya’u, made the call at a news conference in Osogbo on Friday, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain transparency and communication throughout the election.

 

Ya’u and his co-conveners, Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, urged INEC to provide timely information on the security of election materials, contingency arrangements and polling locations affected by reported security concerns.

 

He said security challenges must not become an excuse for arbitrary cancellation, relocation or manipulation of polling activities or undermine voters’ rights and confidence in the electoral process during voting.

 

According to him, every eligible voter has a constitutional right to participate freely in the election without intimidation, harassment or violence, while authorities must protect voters’ rights throughout the process properly.

 

“We urge security agencies to ensure that voters can travel to their polling units, cast their ballots and return home safely,” Ya’u said, emphasising the need for security throughout voting.

 

“We also call for particular attention to women, persons with disabilities, older persons and other groups that could be disproportionately affected by insecurity,” he said.

 

He also urged authorities to protect vulnerable voters.

 

“Citizens must not allow political actors, thugs or purveyors of disinformation to deprive them of their democratic rights,” he said, urging communities to resist intimidation, misinformation and coercion throughout voting.

 

He also advised voters to reject violence, avoid confrontation at polling units, verify information before sharing it and report threats or incidents through appropriate channels to relevant authorities promptly when necessary.

 

“The people of Osun have a responsibility to protect the peace of their communities, but this responsibility cannot substitute for the primary duty of the state to protect citizens,” he said.

 

Ya’u added that the call covered all major stakeholders whose cooperation was essential to sustaining peace, security and public confidence throughout the election period in Osun and its aftermath.

 

“The Situation Room calls on the Federal Government, INEC, Nigeria Police Force, other security and law enforcement agencies, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, media and civil society organisations to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the election.

 

“The group will continue monitoring the security and electoral environment while documenting incidents capable of threatening the credibility, peacefulness and integrity of the electoral process during the election and its aftermath.”

 

Speaking on security, he said the group expressed concern over the proliferation of political thuggery and fatalities linked to political rivalry and alleged sponsorship of violence across the state ahead of the governorship election on Saturday.

 

Ya’u called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to demonstrate political neutrality and enforce the law without fear or favour while protecting all voters equally during voting fairly.

 

He urged the agencies to ensure that arrests, investigations and prosecutions were based on credible evidence rather than political affiliations, while upholding due process and equal treatment under law.

 

Ya’u, however, said the organisation would also monitor the transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, vote trading and transparency in the collation process throughout voting.

 

Earlier, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, had called on the international community to intervene over alleged attacks, intimidation and threats against residents and political actors in Odo Otin Local Government Area ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Egbedun made the appeal in an address to diplomatic missions, international human rights organisations and members of the press, as rival political camps continued to trade allegations of violence just days before the poll.

The Speaker alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin and led by one Sikiru Adeboye had been moving through communities, allegedly targeting leaders and members of the Accord Party.

He cited the alleged invasion of the residence of Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, popularly known as Mama Mi Leko, an elder sister of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

According to Egbedun, two of her children were taken away during the incident.

He also alleged attacks on Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale, popularly known as Lawesco; Fasola Femi, known as Odofin; and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo, also known as Action.

Egbedun claimed that gunshots were fired during the alleged attacks and that Ajimoti’s dog was killed.

The Speaker further alleged that three armed men who reportedly claimed to be working for Francis Eniade, the APC candidate for the Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, were arrested in Okuku with two pump-action firearms but later released.

He said the suspects had been personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services for investigation.

Egbedun also alleged that he had been threatened over his plan to release a video containing the suspects’ alleged confessional statements.