Follow Us on Google
By Philip Nwosu
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in Osun State.
Obi made the call in a statement shared on X on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the interests of the people and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
He said Osun State belongs to its people and urged INEC, security agencies, political parties, candidates, government institutions, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, the media, the diplomatic community and election observers to demonstrate neutrality, professionalism and restraint.
“Osun belongs to its people. Therefore, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, candidates, government institutions, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, the media, and every stakeholder to act with the highest degree of neutrality, professionalism, and restraint,” Obi said.
He stressed that residents must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and without intimidation, while their votes must be properly counted and protected.
“The people of Osun must be allowed to vote freely, safely, and without intimidation. Their votes must be counted transparently, protected faithfully, and announced according to the genuine will of the electorate,” he said.
He also appealed to residents to reject attempts by political actors to exploit electoral competition to divide communities or provoke violence.
“To those within Osun State, I appeal for peace. Do not allow politicians to turn your neighbours, friends, and communities against each other. Do not destroy your state in the name of winning an election,” he said.
He maintained that the interests of the country and the state should take precedence over political parties and individual candidates.
“Nigeria is bigger than any candidate, and Osun is greater than any political party,” Obi added.
The NDC presidential candidate also cautioned politicians, supporters, influencers and financiers outside Osun State against importing violence, intimidation or other forms of electoral malpractice into the state.
Other News
“To those outside Osun, including politicians, supporters, influencers and financiers, I urge you to exercise restraint. Do not import violence, intimidation, or desperation into a state whose people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders peacefully,” he said.
Addressing security agencies, Obi urged personnel deployed for the election to remain politically neutral and uphold their constitutional responsibilities.
“To our security agencies, your loyalty must be to Nigeria and the Constitution, not to any political party or individual. Your duty is to protect every voter equally,” he said.
He similarly charged INEC to safeguard the credibility of the election throughout the entire electoral process, from preparations and accreditation to voting, collation and declaration of results.
“To INEC, the credibility of this election must be safeguarded from the preparatory stages to accreditation, voting, collation, and declaration. Every irregularity must be addressed seriously, and every legitimate vote must count,” Obi said.
He also called on the international community, diplomatic missions and election observers to closely monitor the election, arguing that their presence could help strengthen public confidence in the process.
“Democracy is not merely about who wins. Democracy is about whether the people are truly allowed to choose,” he said.
Obi urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that political differences did not degenerate into violence, stressing that electoral competition could be vigorous without threatening lives and property.
“Let Osun demonstrate to Nigeria, and indeed the world, that political competition can be intense without degenerating into violence; that disagreement can exist without hatred; and that power can change hands through ballots rather than blood,” he said.
He called for the protection of voters, respect for legitimate results and peaceful conduct throughout the election.
“Let every vote count. Let every voter be protected. Let every legitimate result be respected. And above all, let peace reign in Osun State,” Obi said.
He added: “Nigeria is watching. Africa is watching. The world is watching. Let us provide them with a democratic process worthy of the Nigerian people. A new Nigeria is possible.”
