Again, Yiaga Africa Raises Concern Over Possible Violence On July 16

 

Sodiq Yusuf

A popular civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has again raised concern over possible breakdown of law and other before and during the July 16 governorship election in the State of Osun.

According to Yiaga, there are indications that violence might characterise the election based on the pre-election signs. 

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo, a board member and Director of Programme, Ezenwa Nwagwu and Cynthia Mbamalu, warned that desperation of political parties and pre-election violence may hinder the integrity of the poll. 

A text of the press conference addressed by the organisation reads in part: “With barely 10 days to the Osun governorship election, the political and security atmosphere has remained tensely unpredictable with the security agency describing every Local Government Area as a potential flashpoint. 

“Yiaga Africa’s pre-election reports have revealed the activities of cultists and political thugs in some local government areas are capable of threatening the peaceful and credible conduct of the election, if not contained. 

“In addition to this threat, there are also attempts by some political mercenaries to manipulate the process right from the pre-election stage. 

“Yiaga Africa is also concerned about the uncouth and unguarded utterances by some political actors in the state in their efforts to woo voters. There is no doubt that these desperate utterances by major actors going into the election demonstrate a lack of caution and sportsmanship. 

“This is capable of not just intimidating prospective voters but also inflaming the political environment, if not checked. We call on these actors especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to exercise restraint and advise their supporters to play by the rules.” 

Speaking on the preparation for the election, Yiaga Africa commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its readiness to conduct the poll, saying the preparation for the election has seen a religious implementation of the electoral timeline by INEC.

The group called on INEC to provide better oversight over the activities ongoing at the local government areas and come up with a seamless and stress-free PVC collection strategy across the LGAs to boost citizens’ confidence and encourage participation. 

On security, Yiaga Africa urged the security agencies to ensure that all personnel deployed are adequately trained and operate with all sense of responsibility, professionalism and neutrality.

“Security agencies should ensure the arrest and prosecution of all involved in any form of violence and voter inducement in the days leading to the election. Security agencies, especially the police, should publicise hotlines for citizens to make complaints, report incidents, or access information on the election” it said.

The group also called on all political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns and shun luring voters with unsustainable gifts that would not lead to the economic development of the State.