The outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, has decried the rising cases of political killings and violence in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election and urged security agents to remain professional.
Osigwe, while addressing journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, said he was in the state with his team to monitor the exercise.
He expressed concerns over the spate of attacks recorded in the build-up to the election, as he urged politicians to rein in their supporters and put an end to the violence.
Osigwe also noted that available data showed that about 73 reported election violence-related incidents have so far been recorded.
“Recent incidents in the state made it imperative that we start this election observation earlier than Saturday. Statistics show that there were about 73 reported election violence-related incidents. Also, one report has reported a death toll of about 29 between May and July.
“And there has been more violence, which appears to have intensified. Unfortunately, there have been threats issued by some people. So, there’s a need for us to use this opportunity not only to speak against violence, but to urge those who, by their actions, will incite violence.
“From all the feedback and all the reports we have got, the violence that has taken place in Osun State and which is related to this election is not spontaneous. They are orchestrated; they are planned and coordinated,” Osigwe said.
He added that from the data available to him, the Osogbo and Ilesa parts of the state have emerged as flashpoints, having recorded over 50 per cent of the reported violence cases.
Osigwe said, “Most of the violence from the reports we have received, over 50 per cent of the violence took place in Osogbo, and the more recent violence was in Ilesa. So, these two places are beginning to look like two flashpoints in this election.
“We need to make that point clear that violence should not, in any form or guise, be used to intimidate voters into staying away or being disenfranchised or to cause a lack of integrity in the electoral process.”
He appealed to the security personnel deployed for the poll to remain neutral and carry out their statutory duties as expected, saying, “Many policemen, civil defence, correctional officers, NDLEA and other paramedics and soldiers have been deployed to Osun State. While we appreciate the work they are doing and the work they are statutorily required to do, we will also use this opportunity to plead with them to be neutral.
“They should only carry out their statutory duties and not use their presence to aid any party, but to ensure the security of the INEC officials and every other person, voters and every person who has a role to play in the electoral process. The whole world is watching.”
He said the state’s election should produce an outcome that inspires voter confidence in the process and shame pundits who are expecting violence.
