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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has condemned repeated thuggery and intimidation, ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The Council also frowned upon the freezing of the state’s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating that probes into alleged financial impropriety can be conducted, relevant transactions traced, and anyone found culpable are apprehended awithout resorting to the blanket freezing of state government accounts.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, who expressed his displeasure at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, he said: “IPAC is deeply concerned about the heightened political tension surrounding the election.
“We therefore make a strong and urgent appeal to all political parties, candidates, political leaders, government officials, supporters and other stakeholders to immediately de-escalate political tension in Osun State.
“We urge all political actors to lower the temperature of political rhetoric and refrain from statements, threats, actions or counter-actions capable of aggravating tension or threatening the peace and stability of the State.
“IPAC condemns the action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, describing the action as politically motivated and capable of undermining the effective administration of the state.”
Also, Dantalle urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations, supporters and their agents to conduct their activities in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act and applicable regulations.
He added that they should respect the rights and freedoms of other political parties and candidates, reject violence, intimidation, harassment and provocation; refrain from inflammatory, inciting or hate-filled statements; and respect the electoral process and the authority of legally constituted institutions.
He extended his peaceful call to security agencies deployed for the election to operate strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandates.
“Security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination. They must not become instruments for suppressing legitimate political activities or intimidating voters.
“At the same time, political parties and their supporters must cooperate with security agencies and refrain from actions capable of provoking confrontation or compromising public safety. The security of the people must remain paramount,” he said.
According to him, the Osun Governorship Election presents another important opportunity “to demonstrate that Nigeria’s democracy is capable of conducting elections in which the will of the people prevails.
“IPAC being an umbrella body of all registered political parties is committed to deepening and strengthening democracy.”
