By John Dike, Osogbo
With 72 hours to the August 15 Osun State governorship election, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) has expressed concern over what it described as worsening security threats, inflammatory political rhetoric and technical concerns surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The organisation, in a pre-election observation report signed by its Director-General and Head of Mission, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, urged security agencies to take urgent steps to prevent violence and ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent election.
According to the group, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise increased the number of registered voters in Osun State from 1,954,800 to 2,339,233, representing an addition of about 384,000 voters.
It described the increase as evidence of growing public confidence in the democratic process but warned that rising political tension and violence could undermine voter participation.
The group also expressed concern over the outcome of INEC’s mock accreditation exercise conducted across selected local government areas, alleging that some BVAS devices experienced difficulties recognising fingerprints, facial features and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
It said the reported glitches had generated anxiety among voters and urged INEC to ensure all technical issues are resolved before election day.
“The electorate expects a seamless accreditation process. The mock exercise should build confidence rather than create doubts about the credibility of the election,” the report stated
CCLCA further alleged that political campaigns in the state had increasingly shifted from issue-based engagement to inflammatory rhetoric capable of escalating tensions.
The organisation claimed that about 40 persons had been killed in incidents linked to pre-election violence across the state, although it did not provide specific details of the incidents.
It also criticised what it described as reckless statements by unnamed public office holders, saying such comments could heighten political tension.
The report particularly accused Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, of making statements capable of inciting violence.
The organisation alleged that the senator was captured in a video encouraging attacks against members of the Accord Party in Ijeshaland and further claimed that thugs and individuals posing as security personnel had been deployed to parts of the area.
It also alleged that the senator boasted of using “federal might” to intimidate voters and prevent opposition supporters from voting during the election.
In addition, the group claimed that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) had been used to harass opposition figures and called for an investigation into the alleged activities of the unit in Osun State.
Among its recommendations, the organisation called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable of inciting violence.
It also urged security agencies to intensify surveillance across the six local government areas in Ijeshaland, flush out armed thugs and individuals impersonating security personnel, and ensure adequate protection for voters.
The group further called for the immediate release of Accord Party House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola, and other persons it alleged were unlawfully detained.
CCLCA appealed to political leaders across party lines to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking violence.
Speaking further, Dr. Nwambu expressed deep concern over the rising tension ahead of the governorship election and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, to caution security personnel, particularly operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) deployed for the election, against acts capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
He urged the police chief to investigate allegations of harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens and ensure that all security operatives conduct themselves professionally before, during and after the election.
Nwambu also called on the police to arrest and prosecute anyone found to have made statements or engaged in actions capable of inciting violence, irrespective of political affiliation.
He stressed that the people of Osun should be allowed to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote without intimidation, harassment or coercion.
“The August 15 governorship election must be a contest of ballots, not bullets. The security of lives and property before, during and after the election remains non-negotiable,” he stated.
