Taiwo POPOOLA
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged that the Commission will take all necessary measures to avert violence during the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, emphasising that no life should be sacrificed for political ambitions.
Amupitan made this statement during a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, HRM Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, at his palace on Friday.
While addressing the monarch and his chiefs, the INEC Chairman highlighted that ensuring security is a primary concern for the Commission.
He said, “We do not desire violence. The life of every Osun citizen is too valuable to be lost merely for the sake of an election for the governorship position. Thus, we are deeply concerned as a Commission.
“It is a matter of great importance to us. We want to ensure that no one loses their life due to an election in Osun.”
He disclosed that INEC has collaborated with the police, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs to guarantee a special security deployment to Osun State.
He also pointed out the issue of misleading videos being circulated as a strategy to discourage voter participation, urging citizens to ignore such misinformation.
Amupitan mentioned that the peace accord signed with all political parties on Wednesday aims to ensure that “the determination of who governs this state will not be made through violence, but rather through the will of the people of Osun State.”
He further announced that a mock accreditation exercise will take place on Friday in selected local governments across the three senatorial districts, including Osogbo in Osun Central, to test INEC’s equipment ahead of the upcoming election.
“As an institution, we are dedicated to ensuring that this goal is realised. The citizens of Osun State will have the chance to choose their leaders,” he stated.
