Civil Society Groups Sound Alarm Over Osun Governorship Election Management
Two prominent civil society organizations, the Coalition for Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), have issued a stark warning regarding the management of the upcoming governorship election in Osun State. They express urgent concerns about developments within the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, cautioning that the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election could be severely compromised if immediate corrective actions are not implemented.
Allegations of Partisan Postings and Opaque Redeployments
The CCNC has raised serious allegations against INEC, claiming that recent postings and redeployments of personnel in Osun State appear selective, opaque, and overtly partisan. The group asserts that individuals believed to have affiliations with the All Progressives Congress (APC) are being assigned to sensitive electoral roles across key local government areas. In a formal petition addressed to INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan (SAN), signed by its Chairman Abdulsalam Musa Akinkunmi and General Secretary Owolabi Hassan, the CCNC stated that this development undermines INEC's constitutional role as an impartial electoral umpire. The petition highlights that such actions raise grave concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, potentially eroding public trust.
Furthermore, the CCNC questioned what it described as inconsistencies in INEC's administrative decisions. The group noted that similar large-scale redeployments were not carried out in Ekiti State, where elections are scheduled earlier, or during the recent governorship election in Anambra State. This discrepancy, according to the CCNC, suggests a lack of uniformity and fairness in INEC's operations, which could bias the electoral outcome in Osun.
Concerns Over Ill-Timed Transfer of Resident Electoral Commissioner
In a related development, the CDHR has expressed concern over the recent transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke. The group described this move as ill-timed and capable of fueling suspicion among various stakeholders, including political parties and voters. In a statement signed by its National President Yinka Folarin and National Publicity Secretary Adewunmi Adesina, the CDHR urged INEC to demonstrate greater transparency and sensitivity in its decision-making processes. The group emphasized that such transfers, especially close to an election, could disrupt electoral preparations and create perceptions of bias, thereby threatening the overall legitimacy of the poll.
Governor Adeleke Expresses Confidence in Re-Election Bid
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is the governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP), has expressed unwavering confidence in his re-election prospects. Speaking during the inauguration of a 52-member campaign council in Osogbo, Adeleke assured supporters that he would win the gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15 with a wide margin. He conveyed optimism, stating that he feels the cloud of victory surrounding him, his team, and the Accord Party. This declaration comes amid the heightened tensions and concerns raised by civil society groups about the electoral environment.
Lagos State Electoral Commission Encourages Voter Registration
In a strategic push to bolster voting power ahead of future polls, the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, has urged residents to actively participate in the ongoing INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Speaking at a high-level voter education sensitization program, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile described the Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) as far more than a mere piece of plastic, calling it the ultimate key to accountability and governance. The chairman emphasized the importance of the Register-Collect-Vote (RCV) message, urging stakeholders to disseminate it widely across Lagos communities, including places of worship, schools, and workplaces, to enhance civic engagement and electoral participation.
