The Omo-Oodua Yoruba Community in the Northern States has demanded a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State, warning political actors and electoral authorities against actions capable of undermining the will of the electorate.
The group, in a statement issued on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urged residents across the state to turn out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation.
The statement was signed by Hon. High Chief Abdulazeez Oyeniyi Salaudeen, Secretary-General, Omo-Oodua Yoruba Community Northern States.
It also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain strict neutrality and provide a level playing field for all participating political parties.
The organisation insisted that every vote cast by the people must count, stressing that the outcome of the election must reflect the genuine wishes of Osun voters.
It further condemned the rising political violence in the state, warning that no political ambition was worth the bloodshed of innocent citizens.
The group appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to immediately de-escalate tensions and allow voters to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation.
It equally tasked security agencies with ensuring adequate protection of lives and property before, during and after the election.
According to the organisation, anyone found involved in electoral violence, vote manipulation or other forms of malpractice must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The group, however, launched a scathing attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of Osun State Government bank accounts, describing the action as an alleged calculated attack on the state government and its people.
It warned that what it described as an unlawful interference with the finances of a state government must not be allowed to recur, urging Osun residents to resist what it called “anti-democratic forces” seeking to compromise the electoral process.
The Omo-Oodua Yoruba Community further called on voters to protect their votes and remain vigilant throughout the electoral process.
It described the Osun election as critical to the survival and consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly as the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections.
The group maintained that a peaceful, credible and transparent poll in Osun would send a powerful signal about Nigeria’s democratic trajectory ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source: Independent NG
