Why We’re Worried Over Osun Governorship Election — CISLAC

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over the growing threat of electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

CISLAC, in a statement by its Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, said its concerns were based on independent monitoring, media reports and ongoing assessments of the electoral environment in the state.

The organisation said reports of killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings, destruction of property and other forms of intimidation had emerged from different parts of Osun in recent months.

While noting that the circumstances surrounding some of the incidents and those responsible remained subject to investigation, CISLAC said the reported loss of lives and rising tensions underscored the urgent need for stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens.

Rafsanjani said the organisation was particularly concerned about the alleged recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs and other agents of violence to intimidate voters, attack opponents, disrupt political activities and influence electoral outcomes.

He warned that such practices could create an atmosphere of fear and prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully.

Vote buying

CISLAC also raised concerns over the alleged commercialisation of the electoral process, saying vote buying exploits economic hardship and the vulnerability of citizens.

It warned that treating votes as commodities could reduce democracy to a transaction rather than a genuine expression of the people’s will.

Enforce Tinubu’s directive
On recent arrests linked to alleged electoral offences, Rafsanjani said the development, including the reported recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter registers, underscored the need for increased vigilance by law enforcement and electoral authorities.

He urged authorities to investigate allegations of electoral offences transparently and prosecute offenders strictly in accordance with the law, without political favour or discrimination.

Concern over military deployment
The organisation also expressed concern over reports of the deployment of military personnel to the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the election.

CISLAC acknowledged that extraordinary security measures might be necessary where there were credible threats to lives, electoral materials or critical infrastructure.

It, however, insisted that any military deployment in connection with an election must have a clear legal and operational basis and remain within its defined mandate.

The organisation called for such deployment to be guided by neutrality, proportionality and respect for citizens’ rights.

“CISLAC therefore calls on the relevant authorities to clearly communicate the purpose, scope and legal basis of the military presence at the INEC office and to ensure that the deployment does not interfere with the independence of electoral officials, intimidate voters or undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral process,” Rafsanjani said.

He also urged all security agencies deployed for the election to operate under clear rules of engagement, respect fundamental rights and maintain professionalism and political neutrality.

Calls for peaceful election
CISLAC said the combination of violence, intimidation, vote buying and heightened security concerns posed a serious threat to the credibility of the election and could have wider implications for Nigeria’s democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation urged candidates, political actors, supporters and other stakeholders to reject violence, demobilise agents of intimidation, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and commit themselves to peaceful and issue-based participation.

It called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain strict neutrality, intensify intelligence-led operations in identified high-risk areas, protect voters and electoral personnel, investigate reported killings and attacks, and prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation or status.

CISLAC also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all aspects of the election were conducted transparently, securely and in accordance with established laws and guidelines.

The organisation called on the National Peace Committee, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to intensify peace advocacy, voter education and public awareness campaigns against electoral violence and vote buying.

It also appealed to Osun residents to reject violence, intimidation and electoral inducements and exercise their right to vote freely, peacefully and responsibly.

CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments before, during and after the election, while advocating transparency, accountability, peaceful participation and credible democratic processes.

“Democracy can only thrive when citizens are able to express their choices freely, without fear, intimidation or financial coercion,” Rafsanjani said.