Osun: Reject intimidation, turn out to vote

Residents of Osun State are urged to defy violence and intimidation and participate in the upcoming governorship election, despite a climate of fear and unrest. The article stresses that voting is a crucial civic duty essential for the state's future.

Recent pre-election violence has cast a dark shadow over the state, with reports of five deaths in Ilesa just days before the August 15 ballot, and an earlier, more severe outbreak claiming approximately 30 lives across Osun. Political discourse has also been alarming, featuring statements like "all is fair in politics" and ominous warnings of a "repeat of the 1983 crisis." Particularly concerning was a reported statement attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, allegedly directing that members of the Accord Party, their wives, and children be killed. Although Fadahunsi later claimed he meant "killed with votes," the initial inflammatory rhetoric is seen as potentially frightening voters and discouraging turnout.

The article argues that shunning the election, while seemingly a protest against violence, could inadvertently empower the very political forces voters oppose. An empty polling booth, it contends, can strengthen politicians rather than punish them. Osun residents are therefore encouraged to ensure their votes are not rigged and that an unpopular candidate is not imposed on the state.

Recalling Osun's troubled electoral history, the piece references the 2018 governorship election, which was declared inconclusive due to violence, ballot snatching, and intimidation. While the 2022 election was comparatively calmer, incidents like ballot-box snatching and polling unit disruptions still occurred. These past events underscore the potential for electoral violence to transform a democratic exercise into a contest dominated by fear and coercion.