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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Ahead of next week’s Osun State off-cycle governorship election, stakeholders have expressed deep concerns over the build-up to the poll, demanding that the international community intensifies diplomatic engagement with the Nigerian authorities over the precarious situation.
Raising the concerns, stakeholders like the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and former leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), noted that the red flags and growing concerns surrounding the election are not pleasant.
They made the appeal in separate petitions submitted to the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the European Union Delegation, and the United Nations offices in Abuja on Friday.
While addressing media shortly after presenting the petition to officials of the United States Embassy in Abuja, Comrade Olayinka Dada and Igwe Ude-Umanta, who spoke on behalf of the coalition and the former NANS leaders, expressed deep concerns over alleged political violence, intimidation, misuse of public institutions, and other actions.
They claimed that the factors are capable of undermining the credibility of the election and weakening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, arguing that the Osun governorship election has assumed national significance because of its proximity to the 2027 general elections.
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They equally warned that the conduct of the poll could either strengthen or further erode Nigerians’ confidence in electoral democracy.
“In the spirit of fairness and neutrality, anti-corruption and security agencies should exercise their statutory responsibilities transparently, professionally, and without becoming tools in the hands of political actors.
“Instead of targeting opposition elements, security agencies should investigate all allegations of politically motivated violence and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted, irrespective of political affiliation or connections,” they noted.
They hinged credible elections on providing all candidates and political parties a level playing field where voters are able to exercise their franchise freely without intimidation, violence, or undue interference.
They urged the United States Mission to publicly reaffirm its support for peaceful, transparent, free, and credible elections in Nigeria and to engage the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, political parties, and relevant institutions through appropriate diplomatic channels.
