The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that killings, political violence, voter intimidation and alleged vote buying could undermine the credibility of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The organisation said the growing tensions across the state, coupled with reports of electoral offences and heightened security measures, have become a source of discouragement for voters to freely exercise their franchise and also threaten confidence in the electoral process.
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In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa, also Non Wednesday, CISLAC said its assessment of the pre-election environment, based on independent monitoring and media reports, showed a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and voter inducement ahead of the August 15 poll.
It cited several reported incidents, including a PREMIUM TIMES-reported incident involving the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, who was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash.
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The organisation also referenced the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the reported shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
CISLAC, however, noted that the circumstances and responsibility for some of the incidents remain subject to investigation.
“While the circumstances and responsibility for some of these incidents remain subject to investigation, CISLAC said the reported loss of lives and increasing tensions across parts of the state demonstrate the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens,” the statement read.
It said the reported deaths and escalating political tensions nevertheless underscored the urgent need for security agencies and political actors to prioritise the protection of lives before, during and after the election.
Political thugs must be demobilised
CISLAC expressed particular concern over the alleged recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs and other agents of violence to intimidate voters, attack opponents and disrupt political activities.
It warned that the use of violence as an electoral strategy could create an atmosphere of fear in which voters are unable to make independent choices.
“Such practices create an atmosphere of fear and could prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully,” the statement added.
The group urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to immediately reject violence, demobilise agents of intimidation and commit to peaceful, issue-based participation in the election.
Vote buying looms
Beyond violence, the organisation raised concerns over alleged vote buying and other forms of voter inducement, describing the practice as a threat to the integrity of the election.
CISLAC said the practice exploits economic hardship and voters’ vulnerability, reducing elections to financial transactions rather than a genuine expression of citizens’ choices.
It urged law enforcement agencies and electoral authorities to investigate allegations of electoral offences transparently and prosecute offenders regardless of their political affiliation or status.
The organisation also pointed to recent arrests of government officials and other individuals over alleged electoral offences, as well as reports of the recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter registers, as developments requiring heightened vigilance.
CISLAC also questioned the reported deployment of armed military personnel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Osun State ahead of the election, saying any military deployment connected to an election must have a clear legal and operational basis.
“Any deployment of the military in connection with an electoral process must have a clear legal and operational basis, remain strictly within its defined mandate and be guided by the principles of neutrality, proportionality and respect for the rights of citizens,” CISLAC said.
The organisation also urged all security agencies deployed for the election to operate under clear rules of engagement, respect fundamental rights and maintain political neutrality.
It therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-led operations in identified high-risk areas, protect voters and electoral personnel, investigate reported killings and attacks and prosecute those found culpable
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