National Association of Seadogs (NAS), popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political actors to ensure that Saturday’s Osun State governorship election is conducted peacefully, transparently and without intimidation.

The association, in a statement titled “The Votes Must Count in Osun Governorship Election”, signed by its NAS Cap’n, Dr Charles Meribole, urged all institutions involved in the election to put the interest of democracy above partisan considerations.

The group particularly charged President Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by ensuring that all candidates and political parties are given a level playing field, warning against any attempt to deploy what it described as “Federal Might” to influence the outcome of the election.

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According to Meribole, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has a major responsibility to guarantee the safety of voters and ensure that the electorate are allowed to freely exercise their constitutional rights.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to act as a true Commander-in-Chief by ensuring a level playing field for all the governorship candidates in Saturday’s governorship election.

“He bears the greatest responsibility to ensure the protection of the electorate in Osun and dismantle every notion of the deployment of ‘Federal Might’ to suppress the will of the people,” he said.

The association expressed concern over the reported incidents of pre-election violence, intimidation and other developments surrounding the election, warning that the weaponisation of state institutions and the inducement of voters could undermine the democratic process.

Meribole said democracy could not flourish where political opponents were harassed or citizens were intimidated, stressing that voters must be allowed to make their choices freely.

The Pyrates also challenged INEC to use the Osun election as an opportunity to restore public confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that every stage of the exercise is conducted with transparency and professionalism.

“INEC cannot afford to fumble. To honour its commitment to the electorate in Osun, INEC must execute every stage of the process flawlessly, from logistical deployment of materials to the unquestionable conduct and integrity of its officials and the final declaration of results,” the statement said.

The group urged the electoral commission to demonstrate its independence by ensuring that votes cast at polling units are accurately recorded, protected, and reflected in the final outcome.

It further cautioned against irregularities capable of compromising the credibility of the election, including alleged alteration of results, disappearance of electoral officers and result sheets, and other practices capable of casting doubt on the outcome.

On security, the association appealed to the various agencies deployed for the election to remain professional, neutral and politically impartial, warning that excessive militarisation of the state could discourage voters from turning out to exercise their franchise.

Meribole stressed that security personnel must recognise their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and the electoral process rather than serve the interests of any individual or political party.

“Security agencies owe their allegiance to Nigeria’s Constitution and not to any politician, political party or narrow interest. Every troublemaker, no matter how highly placed, must be held accountable,” he stated.

The group equally called on political parties and their supporters to take responsibility for their conduct, urging political actors to restrain their followers and place the peace and stability of Osun above their individual ambitions.

It also appealed to voters to reject violence, intimidation, and provocation before, during, and after the election.