July 15, (THEWILL) – A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Women Arise for Change Initiative, has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its preparation for Saturday, July 16, 2022, Osun State Governorship Election.
Speaking on the election, the Founder of the Organisation, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, warned the people of the state against vote buying, saying “we should not have a repeat of what happened in Ekiti, where voters were induced to vote in a particular way, having been induced with money.
“Tomorrow’s election, which has candidates from not less than seventeen political parties participating, is the climax of the series of activities, including, political parties primaries, political campaigns and stakeholders engagements towards the Osun 2022 Governorship election.
“Over the past few weeks, INEC, Political parties and the civil societies, have embarked upon several activities, aimed at voters’ education and campaigns, which in the past few days, became intensified by all actors. Election preparatory activities by INEC, which has been on for several days, remain in top gear.
“Let me at this point state, that as a group, we have employed, trained and will be deploying several of our Observers in the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State, to observe tomorrow’s election”, she said.
Okei-Odumakin warned against voter inducement, saying we cannot, but alert Nigerians of the fact that the act of voter inducement and vote buying is gaining ground in our elections.
“We are, therefore, using this medium, to urge Osun State voters to reject any form of inducement by politicians, but should rather engage the Governorship candidates based on issues that they Care about and only vote for parties and candidates who have a clear agenda for the development of Osun State.
She said kudos must be given to INEC, in its commitment towards ensuring that tomorrow’s election, is conducted in a manner that is free, fair and credible. The deployment of personnel and sensitive electoral materials so far, is assuring of the commission’s readiness, to deliver on time.
“So far, we are impressed by the conduct of security agencies, who are involved in the ongoing Osun election processes and we do sincerely hope, that they will improve on their professionalism and uncompromising stand, throughout the election. Security agents are expected to support the effort of INEC, Civil society and other stakeholders in preventing violence and other electoral offences, including voters inducement.
“We do hope, that this election, will stand as another true test, for us as Nigerians, as we prepare towards the crucial 2023 General elections in the country.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
