Osun Decides: It’s Battle Of The Titans Again!

• Be above board – Yakubu tells INEC staff
• Security agencies in show of force
• Court bars Amotekun from polls duty

In a replay of the 2018 Osun State governorship election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will again test their electoral might as no fewer than 1.9 million voters across the 30 local government areas of the State file out to elect the man who will man their affairs for the next four years.

With the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu warning electoral officers on duty to resist any unethical behaviour during the exercise, a security alert has already been triggered across the state and vehicular movement is restricted between 6 am and 4 pm today.

Admittedly, there is no denying that the election has long been considered a straight contest between the incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s flag bearer, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Reminiscing the 2018 show of strength between both parties where Governor Oyetola had to rely on a supplementary election in seven polling units across four local governments to prevail, observers seem to have ignored the candidacies of 13 others who are on the ballot paper.

The list of contestants includes Akinade Ogunbiyi of Accord Party (AP); Peter Awojide (AAC); Olufemi Adesuyi (ZLP); Muyideen Kehinde (ADP); Oluwatayo Awoyemi (APM); Adebayo Adeolu (APP); and Adesoji Adeleke (BP)

Also lining up for the race are Yussuf Lasun (LP); Rasaq Oyelami (NNPP); Adetona Abede (NRM); Omigbodun Oyegoke (SDP); Ademola Bayonle (YPP); and Ayowole Adebusuyi who is at logger’s head with his Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) that unexpectedly ordered him to withdraw from the contest.

However, ahead of today’s exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu warned the staff to resist any unethical behaviour during the election, urging them to uphold the INEC Code of Conduct by displaying the usual sense of commitment and professionalism.

Recalling that the Commission last month conducted and concluded the Ekiti governorship election widely adjudged to be free, fair, credible and inclusive, Prof Yakubu noted that the feat represented an elongation of the earlier successes recorded during gubernatorial polls held in Edo on September 15, 2020; Ondo State on October 10, 2020, and in Anambra on November 6, 2021.

According to him; “The sheer determination, resilience and competence displayed by all of you, our members of staff, made it possible for the Commission to achieve these lofty goals. As you are aware, the Osun State governorship election will hold on Saturday.

“I have assured our stakeholders and the people of Osun State that the Commission will not do anything to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. We have made adequate arrangements for the election. We have promised a level playing field for all. The security agencies have assured us of safety.

He noted that the people of Osun and Nigerians would understandably hold INEC to its election day promises, the INEC Chairman said the public is ready to observe the electoral umpire’s conduct and behaviour from the opening to the closing of polls, adding; “They will particularly observe our management of the election results and measure the extent of our adherence to the extant laws through every stage of the electoral process.

“I appeal to you to uphold our Code of Conduct, display your usual sense of commitment and professionalism, remain above board and firmly resist any unethical behaviour. You must also stick to the Oath of Neutrality to which we have all subscribed. I have confidence in your ability to consolidate on our recent successes”

On the part of ensuring the safety and security of voters for a hitch-free and successful election, heavy security presence has been witnessed across the state with armed military and police personnel patrolling the streets while others are deployed in strategic locations.

At the INEC office on Gbongan/Osogbo Road, security has been beefed up with personnel of the various agencies even as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of policing for the election, Mr Johnson Kokumo, hinted that the police alone have 21,000 of their officers while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has 11,226 officers on the ground for the exercise.

Kokumo, who assured that the security agencies would ensure peaceful and smooth polls, said cultists, in particular, would not be given any room to disrupt the polls, adding; “We’ve been able to make adequate arrangements to take care of the possible consequences of the activities of the cultists.”

He told Channels Television; “That is to effect their arrest before the election and, of course, mopping up light weapons in circulation. This is intended to create a conducive atmosphere where the gubernatorial election will take place without crisis.”

He also revealed that no fewer than 15 such cultists had been arrested as of yesterday while police escorts of VIPs and top politicians had complied with an order to relinquish their arms ahead of the poll while any policeman found without his name tag close to polling units would be arrested.

Meanwhile, personnel of the State Security Network, popularly called Amotekun, will not be part of the electoral duties following an order granted by a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on Friday that they are excused from security work on the election day.

The PDP had filed a suit against INEC and the security outfit seeking the exclusion of Amotekun from deployment during the election. In granting the PDP request, Justice Ayo Emmanuel said: “The 1st defendant (INEC) is hereby restrained from requesting the deployment of the second defendant (Amotekun) as part of the security personnel deployable for the purpose of Osun 2022 governorship election pending the determination of the originating summons filed in the suit.”

But reacting to the court order, the Field Commander of Amotekun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, urged all corps members to “conduct themselves in a peaceful manner devoid of any controversy as the law has no respect for violators.

“The Area Commanders and Local Government Commanders of Amotekun in Osun State must conduct and organise the men under them very peacefully. You are to perform your civic right in mufti. Do not go to any polling unit with any material except your voter card. Remember to have with you all your tested and confirmed African science materials.”

Furthermore, Comrade Shittu said; “All your observations and reports must be sent to #Amotekunosunsituationbase. In case any of you foresee or discover any looming crisis in your polling unit of observation, you are to relay the information to the Police officer around, the Department of State Security Service officer and other accredited professional security officers saddled with election monitoring responsibilities”