Pyrates Confraternity Warns Tinubu: ‘Resist Temptation To Rig Osun Governorship Election’ | Sahara Reporters

According to the group, President Tinubu should rather behave like a true statesman and ensure a level playing field for all the governorship candidates.

The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resist the temptation to rig Saturday’s governorship election for his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the group, President Tinubu should rather behave like a true statesman and ensure a level playing field for all the governorship candidates.

The NAS Capoon, Dr Charles Meribole, in a statement entitled ‘’ The Votes Must Count in Osun Governorship Election’’ decried the pre-election violence that had gripped the state, stressing that it undermines democracy.

While referring to the number of pre-election deaths recorded by Amnesty International, the two leading parties, the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress APC, and the concerns over escalating violence made by civil society groups, it condemned in very strong words the descent to lawlessness in the state.

NAS/PC noted that democracy cannot thrive under the shadow of weaponised institutions and voter inducement but can only survive when the electorate are allowed to freely exercise their franchise.

The group called on President Tinubu to give a clear directive to security agencies to protect voters in the state.

‘’We call on President Bola Tinubu to act as a true Commander-in- Chief by ensuring a level playing field for all the governorship candidates in Saturday’s governorship election. He bears the greatest responsibility to ensure the protection of the electorate in Osun and dismantle every notion of the deployment of ‘’Federal Might’’ to suppress the will of the people,’’ it added.

NAS/PC called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the Osun governorship election to restore Nigerian’s confidence in the ability of the electoral commission to conduct credible elections.

‘’INEC cannot afford to fumble. To honour its commitment to the electorate in Osun, INEC must execute every stage of the process flawlessly, from logistical deployment of materials to the unquestionable conduct and integrity of its officials and the final declaration of results. The Electoral Commission must demonstrate its independence and impartiality by ensuring that every vote cast at the polling units is accurately recorded and protected. It must take necessary steps to prevent past irregularities such as the alteration of results, suspicious disappearance of electoral officers and result sheets,’’ it stated.

Furthermore, NAS capoon implored the security agencies to be apolitical and ensure the state is not militarised, which can scare voters away.

‘’Security agencies owe their allegiance to Nigeria’s Constitution and not to any politician, political party or narrow interest. Every troublemaker, no matter how highly placed, must be held accountable.’’

The group enjoined political actors to be accountable for their followers by prioritising peace over personal ambition.

It also admonished the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully and eschew violence during and after the election.

‘’Osun State has seen enough bloodshed. The cycle of election-related violence must end. The people deserve a free and fair process, and their votes must count.”