The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun West Senatorial District, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has cautioned against violence before, during, and after the August 15 governorship election.
Ogunbiyi assured residents that the election would be free, fair, and credible.
He gave the assurance during the inauguration of a 100-member Election Monitoring and Mobilization Committee at his hometown in Ile-Ogbo. He emphasized the importance of the committee in ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent.
Addressing the gathering, Ogunbiyi said:
‘In Nigeria generally, when election results are declared, you will find that people resort to litigation. There is usually a need for clear documentary evidence when you have to go to court.’
He revealed that the committee members-who are all well-educated and understand the dynamics of electioneering-were drawn from all local governments in the district, with 10 representatives from each.
He added that the committee would supervise election processes starting from the distribution of materials at the local government level down to polling units. Additionally, they will establish a situation room for the West Senatorial District managed by party leaders, promptly report any issues that could disrupt the election, and document the entire electoral process from local government secretariats to polling units and collation centers.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Akintola Omolaoye, the Chairman of Osun West Senatorial District, expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to secure victory for the APC, noting that the district’s mobilization efforts had already achieved 80 percent success.
‘We believe that by the time we mobilize and work conscientiously towards winning this forthcoming election, other elections are already 80 percent won. We don’t want to leave any stone unturned, and that is why we set up this committee today,’ Omolaoye said.
He further advised committee members to maintain peace during the electoral process, protect party members from intimidation, and ensure that victory is secured through grassroots voting while refraining from any form of violence.