The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised serious concerns over the growing threat of electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that available findings from independent monitoring, media reports and ongoing assessments of the electoral environment indicate a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and alleged voter inducement that could undermine the credibility of the election and discourage citizens from participating freely.
The organisation said several election-related incidents have been recorded across different parts of the state in recent months, with reports of killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings, destruction of property and other forms of intimidation.
CISLAC noted with particular concern reports of the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, after he was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash. Other reported incidents include the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, as well as the shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
It said while the circumstances and responsibility for some of these incidents remain subject to investigation, the reported loss of lives and increasing tensions across parts of the state demonstrate the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens.
The organisation is particularly concerned about the activities of individuals and groups involved in the recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs and other agents of violence to intimidate voters, attack opponents, disrupt political activities and influence electoral outcomes.
CISLAC warned that such practices create an atmosphere of fear and could prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully.
The organisation also expressed concern over reports of vote buying and other forms of voter inducement, describing the practice as a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
CISLAC said the commercialisation of elections exploits economic hardship and vulnerability, while weakening citizens’ ability to make independent political choices, warning that when votes are treated as commodities, the democratic process is reduced to a transaction rather than a genuine expression of the people’s will.
It said recent developments, including the arrest of government officials and other individuals in connection with alleged electoral offences and the reported recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter registers, further demonstrated the need for heightened vigilance by law enforcement and electoral authorities.
CISLAC stressed that allegations of electoral offences must be investigated transparently and handled strictly in accordance with the law, without political favour or discrimination.
The organisation is also concerned by reports of the deployment of armed military personnel to the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the election. CISLAC acknowledges that extraordinary security measures may become necessary where there are credible threats to lives, electoral materials or critical infrastructure.
However, any deployment of the military in connection with an electoral process must have a clear legal and operational basis, remain strictly within its defined mandate and be guided by the principles of neutrality, proportionality and respect for the rights of citizens.
CISLAC therefore called on the relevant authorities to clearly communicate the purpose, scope and legal basis of the military presence at the INEC office and to ensure that the deployment does not interfere with the independence of electoral officials, intimidate voters or undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral process.
The organisation further urged all security agencies deployed for the election to operate under clear rules of engagement, respect fundamental rights and maintain professionalism and political neutrality throughout the electoral process.
It therefore called on all candidates, political actors, supporters and other stakeholders to immediately reject violence, demobilise agents of intimidation, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and commit themselves to peaceful and issue-based participation in the electoral process.
The organisation urged security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to maintain strict neutrality, intensify intelligence-led operations in identified high-risk areas, protect voters and electoral personnel, investigate reported killings and attacks, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
CISLAC also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all aspects of the electoral process are conducted transparently, securely and in accordance with established laws and guidelines.
The organisation urged the National Peace Committee, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to intensify peace advocacy, voter education and public awareness against electoral violence and vote buying.
