Osun Poll: Observers Urge Peaceful, Credible Election

The observers also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect the choice of the electorate, while urging voters to reject vote buying and selling, cast their ballots freely and safeguard the democratic process.

The Osun Election Civil Society Observers’ Coordination Group has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders to ensure a credible, peaceful and transparent governorship election on Saturday.

The group made the call on Thursday in Osogbo during a press conference on its assessment of preparations for the poll.

Addressing journalists, the National Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Femi Lawson, said the observers had reviewed preparations across the state, including voter-related processes, stakeholder engagements, logistics, deployment plans and the recent mock accreditation exercise.

“From all indications, INEC appears ready for the election. We urge the electoral commission to ensure that avoidable logistical or technological challenges do not undermine the credibility of the process,” Lawson said.

The group called on INEC to ensure the timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials to all polling units, while making adequate contingency arrangements for difficult terrains and hard-to-reach locations.

It also raised concerns over the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), following hitches recorded during the recent mock exercise.

The observers described the development as a warning ahead of election day, urging INEC to deploy adequate technical personnel, functional devices, sufficient backup equipment and rapid-response mechanisms.

“BVAS devices cannot afford to fail or malfunction on election day,” the group said.

The observers further expressed concern over the identity and involvement of some individuals associated with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the movement of election materials.

It urged all personnel engaged in electoral logistics to maintain professionalism and neutrality, warning against any attempt to delay, divert, interfere with or compromise the movement of electoral materials.

The group also called on political parties, the media and accredited observers to closely monitor the movement of materials and promptly report suspicious or irregular activities through appropriate channels.

On security, the observers expressed concern over reports of killings, attacks and other acts of political violence in parts of Osun ahead of the election.

“We unequivocally condemn these incidents and urge security agencies to investigate them thoroughly and bring perpetrators and sponsors to justice,” it said.

The group also condemned inflammatory statements attributed to a prominent political figure, including the reported “kill them” remark, warning that such utterances could heighten political tensions and encourage violence.

It urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain professional and impartial while protecting voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists, election materials and the integrity of the electoral process.

The observers also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect the choice of the electorate, while urging voters to reject vote buying and selling, cast their ballots freely and safeguard the democratic process.

“No political ambition is worth the blood of an Osun citizen. The election should be a contest of ideas, records, programmes and popular support,” the group said.