By Gbenga Olarinoye

Osogbo—As Osun West senatorial by-election draws near, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Osun State Command, has assured the people of the state of adequate security of lives and property.

The State Commandant of the corps, Mr Philip Oyedele, gave the assurance while addressing newsmen in Osogbo yesterday.

Oyedele said necessary security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee a hitch-free electoral process before, during and after the July 8 by-election.

He further explained that the command has put in place necessary intelligence gathering mechanism to nip any security breach in the bud.

The Commandant, while appealing to the electorate to cooperate with security agencies in order to sustain the peaceful atmosphere, enjoined parents to be watchful of their wards and never allow them to be used by politicians.

Rights group faults PDP’s allegations

Meantime, an Osun-based civil rights group has described as “crude, reckless and inciting”, the allegations by the PDP that the All Peoples Congress (APC), in the State of Osun was trying to pressurize INEC to shift the date of the by-election from July 8, 2017.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Comrade Tunji Awosehin, the non-governmental organisation remarked that the only constitutionally empowered body to conduct and determine the date of elections is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the electoral umpire has reaffirmed its commitment to holding the Osun West Senatorial zone bye election on July 8th, 2017.

The statement read in part: “We are disturbed and wish to alert the good people of Osun West Senatorial zone in particular and Nigerians in general, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to be vigilant to the blackmail tactics of these anti democratic elements.”