The National Orientation Agency, NOA, Osun State Directorate, has urged eligible voters across the state to participate peacefully in the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
The State Director of the agency, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, made the call in Osogbo through a statement signed by Bunmi Olaseinde, Public Relations Officer of the agency on Friday.
While urging citizens to approach the election with patriotism, responsibility and commitment to democratic values, Adefarasin said every eligible voter had the right to freely choose a candidate without fear, intimidation or inducement.
“Every eligible voter has the right to freely choose a candidate and should do so without fear, intimidation, or inducement,” he said.
The NOA Director assured residents that security agencies deployed for the election had been mandated to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders.
He said the presence of security personnel should not be a source of concern for law-abiding citizens before, during or after the election.
Adefarasin also urged “political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders to remain peaceful and respect the rule of law throughout the electoral process.”
He called on voters and political actors to reject violence, vote buying and vote selling, stressing that maintaining the credibility of the election was a collective responsibility.
The state Director advised voters to cast their ballots peacefully and return home after voting, while urging stakeholders to allow the electoral process to run its course.
“Let history record that in Osun, Nigeria, we choose dialogue over violence; we choose ballots over bullets, and we choose peace over chaos,” Adefarasin said.