The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has identified Osogbo and Ilesa as the main areas of election violence in Osun State, three days before Saturday’s governorship poll. NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) disclosed this in Osogbo on Wednesday as he began early election monitoring with his team, citing 73 reported incidents and about 29 deaths between May and July.
The figures have prompted the NBA to focus its election observation on the state before voters choose a governor on Saturday. Osigwe said the violence recorded so far did not appear to be random, based on reports available to his team.
“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.
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The NBA president said more than 50 per cent of the reported violence occurred in Osogbo, the state capital, and that recent incidents had been recorded in Ilesa.
Two areas account for over half of reported violence
Osigwe said the pattern had made both towns areas requiring close observation as the election approaches.
“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.”
The NBA president said some incidents had been described as cult-related, but he also said reports indicated possible clashes between political parties.
He said the number of incidents and deaths recorded before election day had made early observation necessary.
“Recent incidents in the state made it imperative that we start this election observation earlier than Saturday,” he said.
Osigwe also said some people had issued threats ahead of the poll. He appealed to political actors to control their supporters and stop actions that could lead to violence.
The NBA’s intervention comes as the Osun electorate prepares to choose a governor from candidates fielded by 15 political parties. The Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared the parties, including the Social Democratic Party, for the election.
NBA asks security agencies to protect voters
With many security personnel deployed across the state, Osigwe asked them to remain neutral throughout the election.
He listed the police, civil defence personnel, correctional officers, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency personnel, paramedics and soldiers among those deployed for the poll.
“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 appeal covers the protection of voters, electoral workers and others involved in the election. Osigwe said security personnel should not allow their presence to benefit any political party.
He also asked political actors to prevent their supporters from taking part in violence, stressing that voters should be able to take part in the election without intimidation.
The NBA president said the election should produce an outcome that gives voters confidence in the electoral process and proves wrong those expecting violence.
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