Osun 2018: Observer Group Admonishes Youth To Shun Violence, Embrace Peace

Ahead of the  September 22 governorship election in Osun State, a coalition of election observers, the Nigerian Civil Society Desk (NCSD) has admonished the youth in the state to Shun all forms of violence and embrace peace during the election.

The NCSD,  a non governmental organization while delivering their pre election observation and fact finding  on the conducts of  election Poll in Osun urged the  youth  to Shun violence for rapid development.

According to a statement signed by the coordinator of NCSD, Mr Emeh Friday and National Publicity secretary, Mr Peter Nwokolo said their findings on Saturday election reveals that INEC has put in place the necessary measures that will ensured a peaceful transparent violence free and fair election in Osun State come September 22.

Friday said they also observed that a comprehensive and up to date voters register is available for  Osun State and that governor has won the heart of the People of Osun by building because of the ability to provide the dividend of democracy transparency and accountability within his 8 years tenure in office.

He commended the people of the State for their peaceful and mature conducts as the election draws near.

The INEC accredited group according to Friday has  over 120 Non Governmental and nonpartisan Civil Society Organisations adding that it has deployed officers across 11 Local Government areas of the State regarded as flash points and conducted opinion poll to assess the preparation and readiness of the people

He said, “We observed  that the government of of his excellently, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has in no small measures supported the various security agencies in the state in providing some state of the act security equipment the result of which is the total reduction if crime rates in the state,  uncovering and destruction of criminal hide out in the state.

”Aregbesola has proves himself as a patriotic worthy trustees that the APC government in Osun has created more opportunities for treaming unemployed youths in the state and other programmes aimed at engaging them positively in the society especially in the areas of skill acquisition and Empowerment.

The groups after giving stating their findings recommended that INEC should collaborate with other committed stakeholders especially reputable Civil Society Groups to conduct Civic Voter Education in Sensitization on the dangers of electoral violence to the society and mobilization of qualified electorates for the election.

He said, “Those spreading all sorts of fallacious rumours in the State and unnecessarily overheating the polity should desist forthwith as it affects our corporate image as an indivisible nation. Politicians should embark on constructive and innovative programmes for the youth, aimed at engaging them positively instead of allowing them to engage in the consumption of illicit and narcotic drugs while masquerading as party supporters.”

He further said various security agencies in the state should be adequately funded and supported for rapid emergency response and crime control network, especially during and after the period of the election in order to forestall pre and post-electoral violence in the state.

”All Political parties involved in the Governorship election should as a matter of urgency, conduct themselves with high sense of discipline by sensitizing their supporters on the electoral laws of Nigeria, rather than fanning the ember of discord and violence.

“All political Parties in the State should desist from unguided utterances as election is not a do or die affair, therefore should be approached with values for life and respect for the rule of law and same should be transmitted to their supporters.”

“Political Parties and various stakeholders in the state should prove themselves to be worthy trustees of the State and also committed to sincere peaceful co-existence in Osun State.”

“There should be a community based peace advocacy programme and other mechanisms aimed at promoting peace in Osun State.”

“We commend the proactive measures taken by officers and men of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in Osun State for their commitment in ensuring a peaceful political atmosphere in the State.”

“We commend and appreciate the people of Osun State for their maturity and peaceful disposition.”

”We must remain resolute in  ensuring a transparent, credible, free and fair process that conforms with Nigeria’s electoral laws, compliant with global best practices and standards, we advise all the stakeholders to play by the rules as we assure the electorates that we are monitoring events very closely as they unfold.