…NBA deploys National Election Observers Team, urges politicians, security agencies to uphold peace and neutrality
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern warning against the escalation of political violence in Osun State, declaring that the state must not be allowed to “go up in flames” over the struggle for political power ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, raised the alarm on Wednesday in Osogbo while addressing journalists after arriving in the state with members of the association’s election observation team. He said the deteriorating security situation had compelled the NBA to commence its election observation activities before election day.
According to Osigwe, available data indicated that about 73 election-related violence incidents had been reported in Osun State, while one report put the number of people killed between May and July at about 29. He expressed concern that the violence appeared to be intensifying as the election drew closer.
The NBA President described the pattern of violence as particularly disturbing, saying available reports suggested that the incidents were not spontaneous but appeared to have been planned, coordinated and orchestrated.
He identified Osogbo and Ilesa as emerging flashpoints, noting that more than half of the reported incidents had occurred in the two areas. He warned that political violence must not be allowed to intimidate voters, suppress turnout or undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
Osigwe appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to immediately rein in their supporters and desist from actions capable of provoking violence.
He also called on security agencies deployed for the election to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, stressing that their responsibility was to protect voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders rather than assist any political party.
The NBA President noted that personnel from the police, civil defence, correctional services, NDLEA, the military and other agencies had been deployed to the state. He urged them to operate strictly within their statutory mandates and ensure that every eligible voter could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
“Osun must not be allowed to go up in flames because of the pursuit of political power,” the NBA’s warning underscores, as the association seeks to ensure that political competition does not degenerate into violence and loss of lives.
The association’s intervention comes amid growing concerns from other civil society organisations over the security situation in the state. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), for instance, has also raised concerns over reported killings, voter intimidation, alleged vote buying and other electoral offences ahead of the August 15 poll.
CISLAC cited several reported incidents, including the death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, the reported killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the alleged shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke. The organisation, however, stressed that the circumstances and responsibility for some of the incidents remained subject to investigation.
With the election only days away, the NBA said the priority must be to protect lives, preserve the integrity of the electoral process and restore public confidence.
Osigwe expressed the hope that Saturday’s election would produce an outcome that would inspire confidence among voters and prove wrong those predicting that the exercise could descend into violence.
He urged all stakeholders to remember that political power is temporary, while the consequences of violence can remain with communities and families long after an election has ended.
The NBA’s message is therefore clear: political ambition must not be allowed to become a justification for bloodshed, intimidation or the destruction of Osun’s peace.