David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Atiku Abubakar, the party’s Presidential candidate, have urged Osun voters to protect their votes and resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process ahead of Saturday’s Governorship election.
Mark gave the charge in Osogbo, Osun State, while handing over the party’s flag to Najeem Salaam, as the ADC candidate for the election.
The call was contained in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the ADC national chairman.
Mark urged ADC supporters to remain vigilant, organised and determined, warning against any attempt to subvert the will of the electorate.
The former Senate President charged party supporters to remain committed to the electoral process while mobilising voters across the state to deliver victory for Salaam.
Atiku, who also addressed the gathering, said the ADC had assembled some of Nigeria’s finest political leaders and professionals capable of providing effective leadership at both state and national levels.
He assured Nigerians that the party possesses the competence, capacity and vision required to transform the country and improve the welfare of citizens if given the opportunity to govern.
The ADC leaders’ comments came as political parties intensify their final mobilisation ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, with the contest expected to test the strength of the major political platforms and their ability to translate campaign support into votes.
Meanwhile, Titilola Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State, on Monday led a protest by women to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Osogbo, over alleged killings and arrests ahead of the August 15 Governorship election.
The protesters demanded a free and fair election and called for the invitation of Francis Fadahunsi, Senator representing Osun East; Wole Oke, member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun/Oriade; and Kehinde Raji, an APC chieftain for questioning.
They also called for those they accused of involvement in the alleged killings to be questioned and made to sign undertakings to maintain peace ahead of the election.
The protest began at Laro Grammar School and passed through Lameco and WOCDIF before ending at the State CID.
The women further expressed concern over reports that their leaders could be arrested during the week during the protest that began at Laro Grammar School and passed through Lameco and WOCDIF before ending at the State CID.
Responding to the protesters, Samuel Etaifo, Commissioner of Police deployed for the election, said there had been relative peace in the State since his arrival, warning that the protest could cause fresh tension if rival groups were to converge.
‘Let us assume that you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet, what will happen?. We are going to go back and restrategise to attend to all your demands.
‘Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election, we want peace, we cannot conduct election in an insecure environment. I have the mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilize things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, to create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.
‘If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst, the IG and Nigeria will not forgive you, I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election we must get it right, ‘he said.