The Situation Room also noted the heavy deployment of the military for the election and expressed hope that the entire security machinery would conduct itself responsibly and operate within civil, professional and lawful terms of engagement.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called on all candidates, political party leaders, campaign organisations and political influencers participating in the Osun State governorship election to immediately stop inflammatory rhetoric, threats, incitement and the circulation of unverified information capable of heightening tensions and triggering violence.
The Situation Room made the call on Friday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, as political parties and their supporters intensify activities ahead of the election.
The civil society coalition urged political leaders to publicly direct their supporters to reject violence, stressing that elections should be contests over ideas, policies and votes rather than battles to be won through intimidation, coercion or force.
“Political leaders must publicly instruct their supporters to reject violence and must accept that an election is a contest over ideas, policies and votes, not a battle to be won through intimidation or force,” the Situation Room said.
