WITH six days to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, civil society organisations (CSOs) have raised concerns over the growing possibility of violence, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent poll.

The concerns came against the backdrop of increasing political tension in parts of the state, including the arrest of the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Honourable Mayowa Adejoorin, and a shooting incident during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Ilesa, in which a 12-year-old boy was reportedly injured.

Organisations including Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) expressed their concerns in separate interviews with the Sunday Tribune.

The groups urged INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army to discharge their responsibilities professionally and without political bias, warning that the atmosphere ahead of the election requires heightened vigilance.

Accord, APC mobilise for final battle

Meanwhile the Accord Party has said it is fully prepared for the August 15 election after conducting extensive campaigns and establishing its political structures across the state.

The party’s spokesperson, Hezekiah Olanamiji, said preparations had entered their final phase, with the party concentrating on grassroots mobilisation, coordination of its structures and effective representation at polling units.

He said Accord had taken its campaign to various communities across Osun, allowing its leaders and supporters to engage voters and promote the programmes and achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election.

According to him, the party’s structures had been activated from the state level through the senatorial districts, local government areas, wards and polling units.

Party leaders, he added, had also mobilised supporters and trained polling-unit agents who would represent the party during voting, counting and collation of results.

Olanamiji said Accord was urging its members to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the democratic process, while calling on INEC and security agencies to provide a level playing field for all political parties.

He said the party remained confident in its grassroots strength and the acceptance of Adeleke’s administration, urging supporters to convert their campaign participation into votes on election day.

The APC also declared itself ready for the election, saying it had completed major preparations and was now concentrating on final mobilisation and election-day logistics across the state’s 30 local government areas.

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The party’s spokesperson, Chief Kola Olabisi, said the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Munirudeen Oyebamiji, had recently taken his campaign to various parts of the state, meeting voters, community leaders, party members and other stakeholders.

Accord demands Adejoorin’s release

Meanwhile, the Accord Party has demanded the immediate release of Adejoorin following his arrest by operatives of the Osun State Police Command.

Adejoorin, a prominent Accord leader from Ikinyinwa in Obokun Local Government Area, was reportedly arrested on Friday in circumstances the party described as disturbing and politically motivated.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the arrest as a “bandit-like abduction” and alleged that it was part of a wider attempt to weaken Accord’s political structures ahead of the election.

Olajengbesi alleged that several Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland had been detained in recent weeks, describing the development as a pattern of intimidation.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunde Disu, to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding Adejoorin’s arrest and the activities of the Osun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan.

The party also appealed to INEC, CSOs and election observers to monitor developments in Ijesaland closely, expressing concern that the arrests could create an atmosphere capable of undermining the electoral process.

Olajengbesi maintained that the police should remain impartial and serve all citizens irrespective of political affiliation.

12-year-old reportedly shot during APC campaign

Tension also erupted in parts of Ilesa on Saturday after gunfire reportedly disrupted an APC campaign, leaving a 12-year-old boy, Tobi Ilesanmi, injured.

According to eyewitness accounts, the boy was inside his mother’s shop when gunshots rang out during the campaign procession. Several APC supporters were also reportedly injured.

The incident allegedly occurred in the presence of the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele, and personnel of the Osun State Amotekun Corps.

However, the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identities of those responsible had yet to be independently established as of press time.

The incident reportedly triggered protests in parts of Ilesa, with residents demanding a thorough investigation, particularly because a minor was among those allegedly affected.

The condition of the boy and the exact number of people injured could not be independently verified.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police personnel responded promptly, cordoned off the area and recovered several exhibits, including expanded cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.