- INEC says it is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election across Osun State.
- 1.9 million voters are eligible to participate out of 2.34 million registered voters, with 15 candidates cleared for the poll.
- Security has been strengthened as candidates and stakeholders are urged to shun violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents of Osun State that Saturday’s governorship election will be free, fair, credible and transparent.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the assurance came on Friday as preparations for the election reached their final stage, with ballot papers and result sheets arriving in Osogbo, the state capital.
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The sensitive electoral materials were moved to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Osogbo ahead of their distribution to various parts of the state on Saturday.
The materials were reprinted following a court judgment directing INEC to include the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot.
With the SDP candidate now included, 15 candidates are participating in the election, which will be conducted across 332 wards in the state’s 30 local government areas.
National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission was fully prepared for the poll.
“The Commission reassures political parties, civil society organisations, media and the good people of Osun State of its total readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive election,” Haruna said.
INEC said 1,906,390 of the 2,339,233 registered voters in Osun State are eligible to vote, representing 81.5 per cent of registered voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The commission said 432,843 uncollected PVCs, representing 18.5 per cent, had been deposited with the CBN.
INEC also disclosed that 6,101 voters who applied to replace damaged, defaced or lost PVCs had printed downloadable copies of their voter cards.
The election will feature candidates from Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party and Zenith Labour Party.
Tinubu Urges Peaceful Election
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged candidates, political parties, voters, security agencies and electoral officials to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
Speaking through Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the APC grand rally in Osogbo, Tinubu urged Osun voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
He expressed confidence that the state would witness greater development under the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
Tinubu also urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to prioritise infrastructure development and ensure that the state’s resources are used to improve the lives of residents.
The President said increased financial resources available to state governments should translate into better infrastructure and improved living conditions.
He said an Oyebamiji-led administration would be able to work closely with the Federal Government to accelerate development in Osun State.
Tinubu also warned against violence, intimidation and harassment before, during and after the election.
Security Tightened Across Osun
Security agencies have intensified operations across Osun State ahead of the election following reports of violence during the campaign period.
Non-governmental organisations monitoring the election said at least 30 people had reportedly been killed in election-related violence.
The police also confirmed the killing of a nephew of the Director-General of the APC campaign organisation and member of the House of Representatives, Wole Oke, in Esa-Oke.
Authorities have vowed to arrest and prosecute anyone found violating electoral laws or threatening public order.
APC Woos Voters
The APC grand rally in Osogbo attracted several party leaders and governors, including APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate Deputy President Jibrin Barau, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other senior party officials.
The APC candidate thanked the party leadership and governors for their support and promised to run an inclusive government if elected.
Meanwhile, some members of the African Democratic Congress in Ila Local Government Area defected to the APC ahead of the poll.
The election is expected to be closely contested as voters head to the polls across the 30 local government areas of Osun State on Saturday.
