By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, for Good Governance has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunde Disu, to ensure a credible August 15 Osun State governorship election following rising tensions to foment violence.

Convener of the coalition, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, made the appeal at a press conference in Ogba, Ikeja Local Government Area, Lagos.

According to Ihekaire, “We unequivocally condemn any anti-democratic scheme. We stand firmly with the people of Osun State and with constitutional democracy.”

He insisted that Governor Ademola Adeleke was elected through a democratic process and should not be removed through unconstitutional means.

He further expressed concerns over recent developments where political thugs attacked residents and disrupted commercial activities at motor parks in parts of Osun State without corresponding police response.

Calls for neutrality, int’l community’s intervention

The coalition therefore urged the Federal Government to ensure that security agencies remain neutral and professional throughout the election period to ensure a credible exercise, warning against any action capable of triggering a constitutional crisis.

It also called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to protect lives and property without political bias, and asked the All Progressives Congress, APC, to caution its supporters against acts of violence.

The group also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom to closely monitor developments in Osun State and deploy election observers ahead of the poll.

The coalition therefore warned against any declaration of emergency rule in the state, describing such a move as a “threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.”

Ihekaire said the coalition was documenting alleged incidents of political violence and warned that individuals found to have sponsored or participated in attacks could face legal action, including possible international accountability.

He vowed that the coalition would mobilise Nigerians through peaceful and lawful means to resist any attempt to undermine the outcome of the election or subvert the will of the people.

“Reaffirming our commitment to democratic governance, the people of Osun State should be allowed to elect their governor in a peaceful, free and credible election without intimidation or external interference,” Ihekaire stated.

Other comrades who spoke at the event corroborated the concerns raised, demanding urgent action to nip the plan in the bud.

Comrade Funmi Jolaade Ajayi said women and children would be the worst affected if it happened and therefore, appealed for peace in the state.

Comrade Edefe Ogenebowen, in his contribution, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene to ensure a peaceful poll.

“The IGP visited Osun some weeks back but what manifests in Osun suggested a vested interest. We appeal for all stakeholders to let peace reign.

“We appeal to the FG under President Bola Tinubu, IGP, Tunde Disu to call the security agencies to order and ensure peace reigns supreme in Osun State,” Ogenebowen stated.