Some of the traders during the rally | Bola Bamigbola
A group of petty traders in Osun State on Wednesday, amid rising political tension in the state, staged a peaceful rally in Osogbo to demand commitment to a peaceful governorship poll from all stakeholders in the state.
The participants at the rally, had stormed the venue of the election stakeholders’ forum convened by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan in Osogbo, displaying placards with inscriptions to demand a peaceful poll.
Armed with placards with inscriptions such as “We want free and fair elections,” “One man, one vote,” “Say no to violence,” “Let our vote count,” among others, the participants called on security agents and other stakeholders in the forthcoming poll to ensure maximum protection for lives and property.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Moriyeba Ogun, said they decided to come out and draw the attention of the entire country to rising tension in Osun.
Ogun also said the tension if not de-escalated, may plunge the state into avoidable crises and put lives and properties of the residents at risk.
“We are appealing to security agencies; we want a secure environment on election day. We don’t want any violence.
“People should vote and return to their homes peacefully. Osun is known for peace, and that is what we want in this election. No political office is worth the blood of anybody,” Ogun said.
She also appealed to the INEC chairman and other decision makers in the commission to ensure a free and fair poll, saying the rising tension may lead to voter apathy.
“We are also appealing to the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible. We don’t want a questionable election,” she further said.
The electorate in Osun will be going to the poll on August 15 to elect a governor. The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Other top contenders in the poll include; the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and ex-Osun Assembly Speaker, Najeem Salaam, contesting the poll on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
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