• Says no voter will be molested at polling booths, urges electorate to conduct themselves well •Oyebamiji pledges inclusive governance • Adeleke condemns Esa-Oke killing, orders heavy security deployment, cautions against incitement •IGP bars state-established security outfits, others from participating in election •Barau enjoins voters to return APC to mainstream in state as Sanwo-Olu drums up support for APC, candidate • Accord dismisses Imumolen’s endorsement of APC, says any foul play’ll be resisted •Turaki’s PDP hails judgement recognising guber choice • Yiaga Africa worries about late SDP inclusion • CISLAC: why Osun poll is threatened Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, Linus Aleke in Abuja, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Okon Bassey in Uyo and Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin As a final word on the Osun State governorship poll yesterday, President Bola Tinubu told the people of the state to go out on Saturday and vote the candidates of their choice without fear of intimidating. Tinubu enjoined all political stakeholders to desist from violence, intimidation, and harassment, and embrace peace before, during, and after governorship election The president, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign, said he had put in place enough security measures to ensure free, fair, and credible election tomorrow. However, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, condemned the recent killings in Esa Oke part of the state and the subsequent destruction of property. Adeleke also commiserated with the families of the deceased and other victims of the recent political violence across the state. He ordered more security presence in Esa Oke and its environs. As part of efforts to ensure security during the Osun State election, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, announced the prohibition of state government-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations from participating in election-security duties. Disu said the ban was consistent with established Nigeria Police Force (NPF) election-security directives, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu. The APC rally attracted several APC governors and thousands of party supporters. Tinubu stated, “Let me assure all Osun indigenes that adequate security have been provided all over the state to ensure people come out to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice without any fear or intimidation. “Feel very free to cast your votes for the candidate of your choice. My advice, however, is that you choose wisely because there is need to link Osun State to the centre. We are waiting for Osun to join us. “I can assure you that nobody will molest you. You can only be molested on social media and not during voting. Nobody will harass or intimidate one another. Go out and vote a party of your choice and choose wisely.” For his part, Akpabio said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought for democracy, therefore, he would not allow anybody to molest the already established democracy.” The senate president equally presented the APC flag to the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Akpabio described it as the “flag of authority and power”, saying, “This is your symbol of your authority.” A statement by Akpabio’s Media Office, explained that Tinubu expressed confidence in APC’s chances of winning Saturday’s election, saying the large turnout at the campaign was evidence of the party’s growing acceptance in the state. “From the crowd here today, I am more than convinced that APC is the dominant party in Osun State,” he said. He cited the presence of former governor and erstwhile interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande; former National Secretary of the party, Iyiola Omisore; and Senator Fadahunsi as indications of the party’s strength ahead of the poll. Akpabio also commended opposition figures and political groups that had expressed support for Oyebamiji, describing the development as evidence of APC’s broad acceptance. He stated, “Let me, on behalf of Mr President, thank the opposition parties in the state led by former governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for queuing behind our candidate.” He said the support demonstrated that APC was a peaceful political organisation capable of accommodating people across political divides. Akpabio also referred to the reported endorsement of Oyebamiji by the Accord Party leadership in the state, saying it further strengthens APC’s position ahead of the election.
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
