Osun Election: Vote Buying, Hate Speech, Violence May Mar Exercise – Yiaga Africa

An election observation group, Yiaga Africa, on Thursday expressed concern over the conduct of the Osun State governorship election, warning that vote buying, hate speech, violence and thuggery, among other factors, could undermine the exercise.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, a member of the group’s Watching the Votes initiative, Mrs Asmau Sani Maikudi, said pre-election violence could suppress voter participation on election day.

Maikudi said: “We expect a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election. We condemn hate speech and thuggery, which may undermine the election.

“We also condemn hate speech by some political actors. We call on security agencies to nip this in the bud.”

Expressing concern over voter inducement, she said the group had received reports of some political actors distributing food items and money to induce voters.

“This poses a threat to the election,” she said.

On the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Maikudi urged the commission to address technical challenges that could affect the deployment of sensitive electoral materials.

She also called on INEC to resolve other issues that could hinder the peaceful conduct of the election.

Maikudi urged security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process.

She disclosed that Yiaga Africa would deploy 332 observers across the 30 local government areas of the state to monitor the election.