By Dapo Akinrefon
An election observation group, Yiaga Africa, on Thursday expressed concern over the conduct of the Osun State governorship election, warning that vote buying, hate speech, violence and thuggery, among other factors, could undermine the exercise.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, a member of the group’s Watching the Votes initiative, Mrs Asmau Sani Maikudi, said pre-election violence could suppress voter participation on election day.
Maikudi said: “We expect a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election. We condemn hate speech and thuggery, which may undermine the election.
“We also condemn hate speech by some political actors. We call on security agencies to nip this in the bud.”
