Osun Election: Let Democracy Prevail

Today, the people of Osun State vote to elect their governor for the next four years. It should be another opportunity to demonstrate that democracy is about the power of the ballot, not the barrel of the gun; about persuasion, not intimidation; and about the freedom of citizens to choose their leaders without fear.

Unfortunately, the road to the election has been anything but peaceful.

Reports of election-related violence ahead of the poll are deeply disturbing. The Kimpact Development Initiative has documented 73 incidents of electoral violence in Osun, resulting in 29 deaths. Other reports paint an even grimmer picture. The incidents included killings, shootings, assaults, intimidation and destruction of property.

The situation became so alarming that women in Osogbo, the state capital, took to the streets on Monday to protest against political violence, alleged intimidation and killings ahead of Saturday’s election. Carrying placards with messages such as “We Want Ballots, Not Bullets”, “Vote, Don’t Fight”, “Stop the Killings in Osun” and, most significantly, “Election Is Not War”, the women delivered a message that political leaders must not ignore.

Their protest was not merely a demonstration. It was a cry from mothers, wives, sisters and citizens who fear that political ambition could turn their loved ones into casualties and them into widows.

Public office is about service to the people. There is, therefore, no justification for the inflammatory rhetoric coming from some political actors.

The controversy surrounding Senator Francis Fadahunsi is particularly disturbing. Remarks attributed to the senator were interpreted as a call to kill members of the rival Accord Party and prevent them from voting, even if they possessed voter cards. Although the senator has denied that he literally called for killing and explained his comments as a call to defeat the party politically, the statement has generated serious concern.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded his arrest and suspension, while Amnesty International has also called for accountability. We believe that no politician, irrespective of his status, should be above the law. If investigations establish that the senator made statements capable of inciting violence or threatening citizens, he should face the full consequences of the law, beyond merely visiting a police station.

The two leading contenders, Accord Party’s Governor Ademola Adeleke and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, should also learn to play by the rules. Neither candidate should encourage their supporters to undermine the democratic process in the state. They must publicly restrain their supporters from acts of violence, intimidation or any conduct capable of compromising the election.

As a newspaper, we also welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appeal to Osun voters to come out and vote freely for candidates of their choice. The president’s charge should resonate with every citizen: nobody should be prevented from voting because of their political affiliation.

We urge Osun voters to heed that call. They must come out en masse to exercise their constitutional right. Fear must not be allowed to keep legitimate voters away from the polling units. Citizens should vote for the candidates of their choice and return home in peace, not in pieces.

However, the president must go beyond mere advice and put pressure on state officials involved in managing the election to ensure a level playing field for all the contestants.

The security agencies, particularly, have an equally critical responsibility in this regard.

The massive deployment of security personnel to Osun must be justified by the protection of citizens and the integrity of the electoral process. The security forces must maintain law and order, protect voters and electoral officials, prevent violence and deal firmly with anyone who attempts to disrupt the election. They must discharge this duty professionally and impartially.

The era of security agents aiding and abetting electoral fraud should be a thing of the past. They must not become instruments of voter suppression or political intimidation. Their loyalty is to Nigeria and the Constitution, not to any political party or candidate.

For the voters, they must reject any form of voter inducement and elect their preferred chief executive. No amount of money handed out today can compensate for four years of bad governance. The ballot is too important to be exchanged for cash, food or temporary political gratification. They must choose wisely.

The electoral umpire, INEC, has a historic responsibility. Its officials must remain neutral, professional and transparent. The rules must apply equally to all parties and candidates. Electoral officers must resist pressure from politicians and ensure that every legitimate vote is properly recorded, counted and protected.

This Osun election is a litmus test for the 2027 general election, and INEC must not fail to deliver a credible process and outcome. The people’s will, expressed through their votes, must prevail in this election.

The winner should emerge from the ballot box, not from violence or vote manipulation.

Osun people are not at war. It is just an election.

Let the people decide and let democracy be deepened further in Nigeria, not otherwise.