A Civil Society Group in Osun, The Osun Mastermind, has called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure peaceful conduct before, during and after the Aug. 15 governorship election.
The TOM’s Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, gave the advice in an interview with reporters on Saturday in Osogbo.
Oyedokun-Alli said that a disturbing video of a political party supporter displaying a cap seized from a supporter of another party somewhere in the state had heightened political tension.
He said such actions could trigger and spiral into a breakdown of law and order in the event of reprisals by other actors.
“We call on all political actors to respect the choices of others and go about the business of campaigns peacefully, with development as the ultimate goal of the campaigns.
“Political leaders must also caution followers to desist from acts that constitute oppression, suppression, intimidation, cyberbullying, violence against persons and defamation.
“If our collective goal is to develop Osun, then we can all go about the campaigns peacefully, with respect for the choices of other participants and their supporters,” he said.
Oyedokun-Alli also said that political parties and groups must uphold these important tenets for the sustenance of the country’s democracy and the success of elections.
He further called on political stakeholders of good conscience to ensure that the governorship election in the state was successful.
