The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that killings, political violence, voter intimidation and alleged vote buying could undermine the credibility of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The organisation said the growing tensions across the state, coupled with reports of electoral offences and heightened security measures, have become a source of discouragement for voters to freely exercise their franchise and also threaten confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa, also Non Wednesday, CISLAC said its assessment of the pre-election environment, based on independent monitoring and media reports, showed a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and voter inducement ahead of the August 15 poll.
It cited several reported incidents, including a PREMIUM TIMES-reported incident involving the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, who was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash.
The organisation also referenced the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the reported shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
