The Imole Campaign Council has urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies deployed for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election to protect voters, secure polling units and ensure that votes count.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo by the council’s spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to remain neutral and professional during the election. The council also urged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to ensure strict compliance with the presidential directive.
The council welcomed President Tinubu’s instruction to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other heads of security agencies participating in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and protect voters.
It also backed the President’s call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a transparent, free and fair election, stressing that security personnel must discharge their responsibilities without political bias.
“The Imole Campaign Council calls on the police to obey the presidential order and discharge their duties dispassionately on Saturday. We also call on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to enforce this directive,” Olajengbesi said.
The campaign council expressed concern over what it described as a lack of professional neutrality by the police in recent months, saying the presidential directive should not merely be acknowledged but fully implemented.
“Police officers must not pay lip service to this presidential directive. Voters must be protected. Polling units must be guarded. Troublemakers must be arrested regardless of party affiliation,” the council stated.
It further maintained that the credibility of the election would depend largely on the ability of security agencies to provide a safe environment for voters and prevent intimidation or violence.
“Ultimately, votes must count. This is the beauty of democracy. Intimidation of any kind must have no place in our electoral space,” the council said.
The Imole Campaign Council, which is backing the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke, also urged residents of Osun State to come out and exercise their franchise without fear.
The council called on voters to cast their ballots for candidates of their choice, while urging security personnel to remain impartial and ensure that the outcome of the election reflects the will of the electorate.
