By Sandra Kenneth
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed grave concerns over escalating political violence, voter intimidation, and widespread vote-buying threats ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, the election observer group warned that an ongoing cycle of clashes and alleged voter inducement risks undermining the credibility of the poll and deterring voters from participating.
CISLAC reported that independent monitoring, media intelligence, and ongoing pre-election assessments across the state reveal a troubling trend of targeted attacks, destruction of property, and fatal clashes between political factions.
Among the casualties highlighted by the watchdog was the death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, who was killed by a stray bullet during a political clash in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area.
The statement also cited the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole LGA, a shooting involving a political office holder in the state capital, Osogbo, and the murder of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
“While the circumstances and specific responsibilities for some of these incidents remain under investigation, the loss of human lives and rising tensions demonstrate the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritize peace and citizen safety,” Musa-Rafsanjani stated.
Thuggery and Vote Buying Threaten Integrity
The civil society organization raised strong concerns regarding the recruitment, financing, and deployment of armed thugs aimed at disrupting political gatherings and intimidating the electorate.
Musa-Rafsanjani warned that cultivating an atmosphere of fear severely threatens citizens’ constitutional right to vote freely.
Additionally, CISLAC condemned reports of voter inducement, identifying vote buying as a pervasive threat to the integrity of democratic choices in the state.
The group urged security agencies, political parties, and election organizers to act decisively to secure polling environments, suppress political thuggery, and ensure a peaceful, transparent election process across all local government areas.
