Osun poll: Fear of violence could drive voters away

Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that threats, political violence and inflammatory remarks ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election could discourage many eligible voters from turning out to cast their ballots.

The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said some residents who would ordinarily participate in the election might stay away because of fears for their safety.

Sanusi said the atmosphere created by recent incidents and inflammatory comments had the potential to worsen voter apathy, particularly among people who feared being attacked for supporting a political party different from that of their opponents.

“Those who love their lives and want to live their lives will definitely avoid a polling unit on Saturday. And it’s not because they don’t want to vote, it’s because they want to live.”

He said voters should not have to choose between exercising their constitutional right and protecting their lives.

“They don’t want anybody to kill them because they decide to vote a different political party.”

Sanusi said the development was particularly worrying given Nigeria’s already low voter participation, noting that the situation extended beyond Osun State.

“That is very dangerous because it’s not only Osun State. If you look at the figures of the last election, last presidential election, it’s awful. The voter apathy is really awful.”

He also referenced 73 incidents recorded between May and June, saying such developments could further undermine confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, political actors must learn to accept electoral defeat and welcome victory peacefully, while the government must make it clear that no politician has the right to incite violence or suppress voters.

“We have to have the spirit of accepting defeat and welcoming victory. We have to make that advocacy.”

Sanusi urged the government to warn politicians, regardless of their political affiliation, against inflammatory rhetoric and violent conduct ahead of the election.

“The government has to tell anybody, whether the person is associated with the ruling national party or whatever, that they don’t have the licence to do incitement, to do violence and they don’t have the right to suppress others.”

He described the Osun election as an important opportunity to demonstrate that Nigerian elections should be determined by voters rather than fear or political intimidation.

“We have to use Osun as a ground to show that in Nigeria, election will be about the people, the rule of law and making sure that nobody, no matter who he is, can hijack that system or use people’s fears to prevent them from casting their vote.”

Despite the concerns, the Amnesty International Nigeria director said there was still time for authorities and political stakeholders to improve the atmosphere ahead of Saturday’s poll.

“I believe that we still have the chance and I believe that there is still opportunity to redeem the political atmosphere in Osun State.”