Less than a day to the Osun State governorship election, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise without fear, intimidation, or inducement.
The council also called on security agencies deployed for Saturday’s election to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, while urging parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from being recruited for political violence.
The IPAC Chairman in Osun State, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, who is also the governorship candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), made the call in a statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday.
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Odeyemi described the election as a critical opportunity for the people of the state to determine the direction of governance and urged registered voters to participate actively and vote according to their conscience.
He cautioned against vote buying, intimidation and other forms of electoral manipulation, stressing that the choice of who governs the state should be determined by the electorate.
“Going to vote is your civic responsibility. Do not sell your vote. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you. Your PVC is your power to determine who governs you for the next four years,” he said.
The IPAC chairman urged voters not to allow fear or threats to prevent them from participating in the election, noting that a strong voter turnout would strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the process.
He also appealed to security personnel deployed across the state to remain neutral and discharge their responsibilities without favour or compromise.
According to him, security agencies have a crucial role to play in protecting voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election materials and collation centres across the 30 local government areas.
“Do your job diligently without compromise. Any act of ballot snatching, thuggery or violence must be dealt with decisively in line with the law,” Odeyemi said.
He further urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs or agents of violence before, during and after the election.
Odeyemi maintained that the outcome of Saturday’s election should reflect the votes and wishes of the people rather than intimidation, violence or financial inducement.
He said IPAC would continue to engage relevant stakeholders and monitor the electoral process, expressing the council’s commitment to a peaceful, transparent and credible election in Osun.
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