By John Dike, Osogbo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Campaign Council (GCC) has commended the visit of the Inspector-General of Police, , to Osun State, describing it as timely and crucial to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson of the campaign council, Hon. Nurein Adebisi, the party called on the Nigeri Police Force to intensify efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and their sponsors before, during and after the election.
The council noted that Osun has long been known as a peaceful state rooted in Omoluabi values and warned against allowing political violence, thuggery and destruction of property to undermine the state’s reputation
.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General should ensure proactive deployment of police personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering and direct security operatives to take swift action against individuals or groups threatening public peace, irrespective of their political affiliation.
“Osun is a land of peace dedicated to Omoluabi values. We cannot afford to see criminal activities, political thuggery, attacks on innocent people and destruction of properties threaten the peace of our people,” the statement read.
The ADC campaign council reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a peaceful and issue-based campaign, stating that security remains one of the major priorities in its manifesto.
The council assured the Inspector-General and the Osun State Police Command of its full cooperation, adding that the party’s governorship candidate, , members of the campaign council and supporters would comply with all lawful security directives throughout the election period.
It also pledged to continue mobilising party members to remain law-abiding and avoid actions capable of disrupting public peace.
The campaign council expressed confidence that with effective policing, collaboration among security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), traditional rulers and other stakeholders, the August 15 governorship election would be peaceful, free, fair and credible.
It added that the people of Osun deserve to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation and expressed optimism that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General, would provide the security necessary for a credible electoral process.
