Osun Governorship Election: CAIDOV Urges Peaceful Polls, Warns Against Violence | Sahara Reporters

The group specifically appealed to security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, while protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.

Ahead of the Saturday’s Governorship election in Osun State, Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free and credible poll.

The organisation, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki, called on stakeholders to reject violence, intimidation, vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice ahead of the election.

CAIDOV said the people of Osun State deserved an election that would genuinely reflect their will, stressing that violence and electoral injustice could undermine democracy and further expose citizens to unnecessary danger.

“Osun people deserve an election that reflects their true will. We want a peaceful election in Osun — free, fair, credible, and devoid of bloodshed. A peaceful Osun will guarantee prosperity for all,” Soloki said.

“The ballot should be the only weapon. Any act of violence or injustice undermines democracy and hurts the very citizens we seek to serve.”

The group specifically appealed to security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, while protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials.

It also urged INEC to ensure transparency in the conduct of the election, including the timely distribution of electoral materials to polling units.

CAIDOV called on political actors and candidates to abide by electoral laws, conduct their campaigns peacefully and accept the outcome of the election in good faith.

The organisation further appealed to voters to come out and exercise their franchise peacefully while protecting their votes without resorting to violence.

It urged civil society organisations, the media and community leaders to intensify efforts to promote tolerance, prevent inflammatory rhetoric and de-escalate tensions before, during and after the election.

The group said it would monitor compliance with electoral laws and document and report cases of injustice or violence recorded during the electoral process.

The appeal comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, recently alleging that at least 30 people had been killed in politically motivated violence in the state in recent weeks.

The Nigeria Police Force has also warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote-buying, thuggery and other forms of electoral violence, saying offenders would be arrested and prosecuted regardless of their political affiliation.

CAIDOV said the forthcoming election should provide an opportunity for Osun residents to freely choose their leaders without fear or intimidation.

“Let the voice of Osun people be heard peacefully. Democracy thrives where peace reigns,” the organisation said.