Osun By-election: Go and vote without Fear, NGO Urges Electotate

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

Eligible voters in Osun West senatorial district have been charged to come out en masse and cast their vote for the candidate of their choice in the upcoming July 8 by-election.

The call was made on Wednesday by one of the NGOs accredited to by Independent National Electoral Commission to monitor the exercise, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizen Awareness.

Speaking at the NUJ Correspondents’ chapel in Osogbo, the Director General of the centre, Dr Gabriel Nwambu called on voters in the election to shun all forms of intimidations from any quarter, and exercise their franchise freely.
The DG disclosed that the opinion poll and survey conducted by its centre revealed that some politicians who were threatening to win at all cost had created fears in the electorate, saying contest of that nature must not be militarised.
He further stated that the election monitoring centre has been accredited by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the Osun West by-election, noted that the survey’s findings further revealed that electorates now preferred to remain at home without casting their ballots on the election day.

He therefore warned politicians against hate speeches capable of creating tension in the state insisting that “Nigerian citizens with requisite Permanent Voters’ Card and voting age should shun all forms of intimidations and come out to exercise their franchise on Saturday, June 8th.”

“The essence of this opinion poll, pilot survey and SWOT analysis of candidates preparatory to the Osun west senatorial by election is to essentially promote transparent electoral system in Nigeria by providing an accessible, independent, interactive platform for election observation and results with a view to detecting discrepancies, voting procedure , voter education and awareness in line with our mandate as INEC accredited civil society organization.
“Most instances of by elections in Nigeria occur after an incumbent becomes ineligible to continue in office. This could be due to a recall, ennoblement, criminal conviction, or failure to maintain a minimum attendance. Over four hundred thousand eligible voters are expected to exercise their franchise during this election across the 10 LGAs designated for the election.
“The atmosphere in Osun west has been fully charged with political activities. Major political parties contesting the election are the PDP, the APC and Accord Party.
There are news making headlines across the state especially in the social media that a particular political party has all arrangements to manipulate the electoral process by subverting the power of the ballot and the will of the electorates.
Our opinion poll has also showed that some politicians who are threatening to win at all cost including the use of violence has ignited fear on some electorates who rather than being hurt during election, prefer to remain at home without casting their ballot.
We hereby advise politicians to play by the rules as the electoral management body, the security agencies and the observers are more determined to work together in ensuring that perpetrators of electoral related offenses are brought to book.
“Electorate and individuals who dwell in Osun west senatorial district as well the contigual  LGAs and state are hereby advised to keep away from thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes during the election.
Once again, we wish to advice our brothers and sisters that the long arm of the law would catch up with anyone or group of persons who attempt to circumvent our electoral process bringing to bare, equity, fairness and and the rule of law enroute a transparent, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria”, he said.