The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over the tense political atmosphere ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, warning that violence, intimidation and other electoral threats could undermine the poll.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Friday, the organisation said it had monitored reports of politically motivated clashes, attacks and intimidation involving political actors and their supporters.
The Situation Room also cited tensions involving motor parks and transport unions, allegations of political thuggery, deaths and arrests of political actors, as well as increasingly hostile rhetoric from political parties and their supporters.
According to the observers, the situation is particularly worrying because the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has identified 385 election flashpoints across 13 local government areas as being at high risk of violence.
The organisation also expressed concern over the delayed delivery of sensitive election materials. It said the materials arrived at about 8:30pm on Thursday, August 13, following the reprinting of ballot papers to accommodate the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.
The Situation Room urged authorities to ensure adequate protection for election personnel, materials and facilities, particularly following the reported attack on an INEC distribution centre in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where Permanent Voter Cards and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices were reportedly stolen.
It further called on security agencies to act professionally and within the law, while urging the police to properly document cases of violence, electoral infractions and vote-buying, identify those responsible and share relevant information with INEC.
The observers also urged political parties and their supporters to avoid actions capable of undermining the election, referring to allegations of political violence and rivalry involving the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress.
The organisation appealed to Osun residents to protect their democratic rights by rejecting intimidation, political thuggery and disinformation.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said it would continue monitoring the security and electoral environment and document incidents that threaten the credibility, peacefulness and integrity of the electoral process.
