Osun Election: No Politician Needs Bloodshed to Win Poll, Says Afenifere Chieftain

Politicians vying for office in Osun must reject violence and bloodshed, as no political position justifies the loss of human life, urged Chief Deji Wellington, Lagos State Chairman of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization Afenifere.

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No politician needs bloodshed to win an election.

Wellington made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, addressing the rising political tensions preceding the August 15 Osun governorship election. He emphasized that while elections are temporary, lost lives are irreplaceable.

"No politician needs bloodshed to win an election," Wellington stated. "Elections will come and go, but lives lost cannot be restored." He implored politicians across all party lines to embrace peaceful campaigns and refrain from actions that could disturb public order.

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Elections will come and go, but lives lost cannot be restored.

Furthermore, Wellington appealed to the police to maintain neutrality and execute their constitutional duty without bias. "I also appeal to the police to remain neutral and perform their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property," he said. "Once security agencies are perceived as taking sides, the situation becomes worse."

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I urge politicians to reject violence completely.

He reiterated that democracy provides established channels for citizens to select or change leaders through voting. "My appeal is simple: let everyone campaign peacefully. If you want change, go to the polls with your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and vote," Wellington advised. He expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu's commitment to democracy and his efforts to ensure a smooth election, expecting security agencies to act professionally and fairly.

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I also appeal to the police to remain neutral and perform their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.