TheCable

YIAGA Africa, a civil society organisation (CSO), says disruption of PVC collection in LGAs, thuggery and violent clashes pose a threat to the Osun governorship election.

The election is scheduled to be held on July 18.

Gboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun, is candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Ademola Adeleke is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other candidates are Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party; Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party, and Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a statement signed by Cynthia Mbamalu and Ezenwa Nwagwu, the director of programmes and board member of the CSO, YIAGA said there is a potential threat to the peaceful conduct of the election.

The CSO asked the security agencies to remain steadfast in securing the lives of citizens and protecting electoral materials intended for the election.

“The recent escalation in the activities of political thugs and cultists in Osun State remains a potential threat to the peaceful conduct of the election,” it said.

“Activities of thugs and cultist groups range from disruption of PVC Collection in LGAs and violent clashes which have threatened the peace in the locations affected. 

“While Yiaga Africa commends the recent arrest of some political thugs by the police, there is an urgent need for more intelligence to be deployed in addressing these rising threats to ensure more arrests and prosecution of culprits. 

“The critical job of effectively securing citizens, electoral materials and stakeholders without any bias should remain a priority for the security agencies ahead of the July 16 Governorship election.”

The CSO also raised concerns about the “unguarded utterances” of some political actors, adding that their actions are capable of intimidating voters if not checked.

“Yiaga Africa is also concerned about the uncouth and unguarded utterances by some political actors in the state in their efforts to woo voters,” it said.

“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.”