By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has appealed to eligible voters across the state to conduct themselves peacefully during Saturday’s governorship election, urging them to shun violence and actively participate in the democratic process.
In a statement on Thursday by its State Director, Mr. Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, the agency called on residents to come out in large numbers on August 15 to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.
He said every eligible voter has the right to freely choose a candidate of their choice, stressing that such decisions should be made without coercion, inducement or any form of electoral malpractice.
The director urged the electorate to approach the election with patriotism, responsibility and commitment to democratic values, noting that peaceful participation remains the foundation of a credible electoral process.
He assured residents that security personnel deployed across the state were on election duty solely to safeguard voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders, and not to harass law-abiding citizens before, during or after the poll.
Adefarasin also appealed to political parties, candidates, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders to play constructive roles by promoting peace and respecting the rule of law throughout the election period.
He warned against acts capable of disrupting the electoral process, including violence, vote buying, vote selling and other forms of electoral misconduct, describing the credibility of the election as a collective responsibility of all citizens.
Adefarasin advised voters to cast their votes peacefully and return to their homes after the exercise, in line with electoral guidelines and security advisories.
He expressed optimism that Osun State could once again set an example of peaceful democratic participation if all stakeholders embraced dialogue and rejected violence
“Let this election be a model. Let history record that in Osun, Nigeria, we chose dialogue over violence, ballots over bullets, and peace over chaos,” he said.
The appeal comes amid heightened political activities and increased security deployment across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, as authorities continue to call on residents to maintain peace and ensure a credible electoral process.
