The Community Advocacy for Peace and Strategic Leadership Initiative (CAPSL-Initiative) has urged political parties, voters, and other stakeholders to support security agencies in ensuring a free and fair Nov. 16 Local Government Election in Ogun.
This is contained in a statement by the chairman CAPSL-Initiative, Akwuobi Francis, and the Secretary, Pius Pamela, on Sunday in Abuja.
They urged the stakeholders to adhere strictly to the rules and guidelines set by the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), to guarantee a violence-free process.
The group also appealed to all parties to avoid conducts detrimental to the peace and security of the gateway state.
According to the civil society organisation (CSO), investigations so far revealed that security agencies in the state have emplaced measures to ensure a violence-free exercise.
“We therefore, encouraged relevant authorities charged with the responsibility of ensuring peace and order in the state, to remain firm and unwavering in the execution of their collective mandate.
“It will be recalled that sometime in August, the chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Babatunde Osibodu, had announced the date for the council election.
“This decision to hold the poll came about a month after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local governments, in a landmark judgement considered to be a product of judicial activism.
“As preparations for the elections enter crucial stages, we at CAPSL-Initiative call on all stakeholders to maintain decorum, while playing by the rules.
“While we recognise the fact that politics is the contest for power and distribution of patronage, we insist that same must be guided by abiding rules, regulations and guidelines enunciated by the OGSIEC.
“Accordingly, political parties and their respective candidates must rein-in their supporters, by letting them know that election is not a do-or-die affair, but rather a democratic exercise where voters should be allowed to make informed choices,” they said.
The group said it was not oblivious of the fact that the stakes would be high given the recent Supreme Court judgement easing the third tier of government of state governments’ stranglehold.
They also called for caution, adding that experience had shown that implosion was often the consequence of imposition which they added, threatens security and public safety.
“We will like to commend Gov. Dapo Abiodun, as well as heads of relevant authorities, for the peace and security enthroned in the state; a development that has led to improved investment opportunities.
“Finally, we want to assure Ogun indigenes/residents that investigations have so far revealed that the twin security challenge of kidnapping and cultism, is receiving adequate attention.
“As it is our tradition, we call on members of the public to report persons with questionable tendencies, suspicious activities to relevant security agencies, moreso that security has become a whole-of-society-society approach,” they added.
By Sumaila Ogbaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA