Osun workers, pensioners demand violence-free governorship election

…As NSCDC deploys 10,000 men, warns officers against partisanship

Workers and pensioners in Osun State have called for a violence-free governorship election on August 15, urging political actors and security agencies to ensure that residents can exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.

The call was made on Monday by the leadership of organised labour during a mini congress held at the State Government Secretariat, Osogbo.

Christopher Arapasopo, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed concern over reports of thugs allegedly moving around and shooting, urging the police to protect the citizens and property of Osun State.

Arapasopo appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to order, stressing that the election should not be turned into a war.

Also speaking, Olamilekan Adediran, the state chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, urged civil servants, pensioners and other residents to go to their polling units with their voter cards and vote for candidates of their choice without tension or fear.

Read also: Osun Poll: Atiku canvasses votes for ADC as Aregbesola denies alliance speculation

Adediran said political power should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that residents knew the type of government they wanted and should not have leadership imposed on them.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel for the August 15 Osun State Governorship election as the State Command warns its officers against partisanship and directs them to maintain professionalism throughout the electoral process.

Igbalawole Sotiyo, the state commandant, gave the directive at a strategic meeting with Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and Tactical Commanders at the command headquarters in Osogbo.

Sotiyo, in a statement by ASCI Kehinde Adeleke, the stats command’s Spokesperson, said the personnel deployed for the election would be led by Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commandant general of the Corps.

He emphasised that the credibility of the corps and public confidence in its personnel would depend largely on their conduct throughout the electoral process.

He therefore warned personnel of the command against actions capable of undermining the integrity of the Corps or compromising the peaceful conduct of the election.