By Olamilekan FAWAS
Barely four days to Osun State governorship election, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has raised alarm over reports of voter’s inducement being perpetrated by some politicians in 12 local government areas of the state.
Akiyode-Afolabi, who described the action as an ugly trend, said it was a dangerous recipe against the credibility of the electoral process.
She made this known in a statement made available in Abuja.
‘’In the build-up to the Sept. 22, 2018 governorship election in Osun, TMG has received reports of distribution of money, food items and gifts by politicians at Boripe, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ife North, Ife South, Obokun, Ede North, Egbedore, Boluwaduro, Ila, Irepodun, Iwo Local Government Areas of the state.
‘’The rampant case of voter’s inducements does not portray the electoral process in good light as it creates serious questions on the integrity of the process and legitimacy of its outcome,” she said.
She enjoined the Nigerian police and other security agencies, including election monitors to subdue the issue of voter’s inducement across the state ahead of the elections.
‘’We also urge citizens to say no to vote buying as any politician that gives citizens money for their votes does not have good plans for them,” she said.
Akiyode-Afolabi called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other civil society organisations to intensify voter’s education to mitigate vote buying.
“Citizens must know that their votes are valuable assets that the votes should be guarded jealously.
‘’More so, vote buying is an electoral offense which undermines the legitimacy of elections and weakens representative democracy.
‘’We, therefore, urge the citizens of Osun to come out on Election Day and vote for the right candidate that will move the state forward,” she said.
The chairperson also urged the indigenes of the state to refrain from being used as instruments for violence before, during and after the poll.
‘’TMG has also received reports of violence or threats of violence as political parties go out for campaigns. ’We, therefore, call on candidates and their supporters to remain civil in their campaigns.
‘’We also urge citizens to get involved in the electoral process peacefully,” she said.
According to her, accusation and counter-accusation of vandalism of billboards by political parties are so unfortunate and should be discouraged.
‘’This is indeed an early warning signal that security agencies should investigate to ensure a peaceful election come Sept. 22nd,” she said.
She commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting series of voter’s education workshops and trainings, including distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) across the state.
Akiyode-Afolabi hinted that TMG, as part of its commitment to promoting free, fair as well as effective and accountable management of the election, would observe the Saturday poll.
‘’TMG in collaboration with its members will deploy citizen observers across the 30 LGAs in the state to observe the Election Day processes and conduct of the security and other stakeholders during the election,” she said.
