Tosin Odeyemi, chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Osun State and chieftain of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), has urged voters, political parties and security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s governorship election is conducted peacefully, transparently and without rancour.
Odeyemi, in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday, described the August 15 election as another opportunity for the people of Osun to exercise their constitutional right to choose leaders capable of driving development across the state.
He urged registered voters to come out in large numbers and vote according to their conscience, warning that voter apathy could create room for undemocratic forces to influence the outcome of the election.
‘Going to vote is your civic responsibility. Do not sell your vote. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you. Your PVC is your power to determine who governs you for the next four years,’ he said.
The IPAC chairman also charged security agencies deployed across the state to maintain professionalism, neutrality and vigilance before, during and after the poll.
According to him, security personnel must protect voters, electoral officials, election materials and collation centres across the 30 local government areas of the state.
Odeyemi warned that acts capable of undermining the electoral process, including ballot snatching, thuggery and violence, must be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.
‘The duty is to protect voters, electoral officials, materials and result collation centres across the 30 local government areas of the state. You must ensure you do your job diligently without compromise,’ he said.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against allowing themselves to be recruited as political thugs or used to perpetrate violence during the election.
The IPAC chairman further urged political actors to respect the rules of the contest and accept the outcome of a free and credible election, stressing that the interest of Osun State should remain above partisan considerations.
The appeal comes as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of Saturday’s poll, with stakeholders expressing concerns over possible attempts by desperate actors to disrupt voting and the collation of results.
Odeyemi urged all stakeholders to contribute to a peaceful electoral environment, saying the credibility of the election would depend not only on the conduct of the electoral body but also on the behaviour of political parties, candidates, voters and security agencies.