A coalition of civil society organisations under the Partnership for Ethical Governance has called on political parties, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election in Osun State on August 15.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Wednesday, Comrade Debo Adeniran, said the election presents an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy through peaceful participation and adherence to the rule of law.
Speaking on the theme, “Safeguarding Democracy Through Peaceful, Credible and Violence-Free Elections,” the group expressed concern over what it described as increasing reports of politically motivated attacks, violent confrontations and intimidation ahead of the poll.
He said such incidents threaten public confidence in the electoral process and undermine democratic institutions.
“The essence of democracy is to give the people the freedom to choose their leaders without fear, intimidation, coercion or violence. Elections are not wars. Political opponents are not enemies. Victory at the polls must never come at the cost of human misery, pains, trauma and lives,” he said
The group stressed that every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot without fear, urging residents of Osun State to reject violence and participate peacefully in the election.
According to the group, democracy thrives when citizens freely express their choices through the ballot rather than being discouraged by intimidation or violence.
It also urged political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Accord Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other contestants, to demonstrate political maturity by promoting issue-based campaigns and discouraging inflammatory rhetoric among their supporters.
The group warned that no political ambition should be pursued at the expense of human lives.
“It must never be forgotten that no political office is worth the life of any citizen. Every life lost during an election represents an irreparable loss to a family, a community and the nation,” he added
The group further cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of electoral violence, noting that those who instigate violence rarely suffer the consequences.
On security, the group disclosed that it had held engagements with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other relevant agencies ahead of the election.
While commending the assurances received from the security agencies, the group urged them to remain professional, impartial and law-abiding in the discharge of their duties.
It called for adequate security at polling units and swift action against anyone involved in electoral violence or voter intimidation, regardless of political affiliation or status.
The group also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission to uphold transparency, neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
It urged the commission to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials, seamless use of electoral technology, strict compliance with electoral guidelines and transparent collation and declaration of results.
“The eyes of the people of Osun State, indeed of the entire nation, will be on INEC on August 15. Every valid vote must count, and every result declared must faithfully reflect the sovereign will of the electorate as expressed at the polls,” he stated.
The coalition concluded by calling on all stakeholders to place the interest of Osun State above partisan considerations, expressing hope that the governorship election would be remembered for peace, credibility and the triumph of the people’s democratic will.
It urged political parties to campaign responsibly, security agencies to remain impartial, INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with integrity and voters to participate peacefully.
The coalition maintained that a peaceful and credible governorship election would further strengthen democratic governance and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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