Ex-TMG chair raises alarm over political tension ahead of Osun gov poll

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, a former Chairperson of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Associate Professor of Law, has voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating political tension in Nigeria's Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. She warns that the current climate risks undermining the poll's credibility and eroding public trust in the nation's democratic processes.

Akiyode-Afolabi, drawing on her extensive experience in election observation, identified the developments in Osun as classic early warning signs of electoral violence. "As an election observer, I understand the warning signs that often precede electoral violence," she stated. "The developments unfolding in Osun demand urgent and collective action to prevent further escalation."

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As an election observer, I understand the warning signs that often precede electoral violence. The developments unfolding in Osun demand urgent and collective action to prevent further escalation.

The human rights lawyer highlighted several factors contributing to the heightened public anxiety. These include reports of election-related violence, inflammatory rhetoric, and official and security reports indicating that over 20 individuals have lost their lives in politically motivated violence during the election's build-up. Recent events, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) freezing an Osun State Government bank account and the arrest and subsequent release of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five others for alleged vote-buying, have further amplified concerns.

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Such actions have the potential to deepen public suspicion, fuel reprisals among supporters and undermine confidence in the fairness and credibility of the election if not handled with the utmost transparency, professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law.

While acknowledging the police's constitutional role in investigating electoral offenses, Akiyode-Afolabi cautioned that the arrest of a senior government official at this critical juncture could inflame political tensions if not handled with utmost transparency and professionalism. "Such actions have the potential to deepen public suspicion, fuel reprisals among supporters and undermine confidence in the fairness and credibility of the election if not handled with the utmost transparency, professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law," she explained.

She emphasized that the commitment to peaceful elections, symbolized by the signing of a Peace Accord by governorship candidates, must translate into concrete actions. "The true test of that commitment lies not in signing documents but in the actions of political leaders, their supporters and the institutions responsible for safeguarding our democracy," Akiyode-Afolabi concluded.

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The true test of that commitment lies not in signing documents but in the actions of political leaders, their supporters and the institutions responsible for safeguarding our democracy.