The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation that supported the re-election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has commenced a post-election review of the governorship election and directed its structures across the state to document victims of electoral violence.
The council disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., in Osogbo. The directive covers persons affected by violence before, during and immediately after the August 15 governorship election.
According to the statement, the documentation will include persons who sustained injuries, families who lost loved ones, residents whose properties were damaged or destroyed, as well as other identifiable victims of election-related violence.
The council stressed that the exercise would not be restricted to members or supporters of any particular political party, saying every victim should be documented regardless of political affiliation, party membership or voting preference.
“Every victim must be documented irrespective of political affiliation, party membership or voting preference,” the council said.
It added that “violence against any citizen diminishes us all, and no family should be forgotten simply because of their political persuasion.”
The Imole Campaign Council said the outcome of the election could not erase the pain suffered by families affected by violence during the electoral process, even as it expressed gratitude to God and the people of Osun State for the election result.
The council explained that the post-election review was part of its responsibility to account for the human consequences of the electoral contest and ensure that victims were properly identified and documented.
“Responsible leadership requires us, after the political contest, to account for the human consequences of the process and ensure that the experiences of victims are properly documented,” the statement said.
The campaign council consequently directed all its Local Government structures to submit comprehensive and verifiable records of affected persons for further review and appropriate action.
The move comes against the backdrop of concerns over election-related violence in Osun State. Earlier reports had documented several incidents of violence in the build-up to the election, with civil society groups and security agencies raising concerns over the impact of political violence on residents and the electoral process.
The council said the conclusion of the election should mark the beginning of a period in which the welfare and dignity of citizens would take precedence over political differences.
“The election is over. Our common humanity must now take precedence over political differences,” it stated.
