President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged voters in Osun State to come out on Saturday and freely cast their ballots for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment.
Tinubu made the appeal on Thursday through Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented him at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Osogbo.
The president assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.
He also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to shun violence, intimidation and harassment before, during and after the poll.
“Feel very free to cast your votes for the candidate of your choice,” Tinubu said, while urging voters to choose wisely.
Akpabio, during the rally, presented the APC flag to the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing it as a symbol of authority and power.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s chances of winning the election, citing the large turnout at the rally and support from various political groups as evidence of the party’s growing acceptance in Osun.
Former Accord presidential candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, also declared support for Oyebamiji, saying members, stakeholders and supporters of the party would back the APC candidate.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the recent killings in Esa-Oke and the destruction of property linked to political violence.
Adeleke directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations in Esa-Oke and surrounding communities. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and urged the authorities to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
The governor called on political actors and their supporters to avoid statements and actions capable of triggering further violence, insisting that political contests should be settled through the ballot box.
He also alleged that more than 20 homes belonging to Accord Party members were raided in Ikire, with some members reportedly arrested and properties vandalised.
As preparations for the election intensified, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu announced a ban on state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations from participating in election-security duties.
The police also prohibited armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons from accompanying politicians or VIPs to polling units and collation centres.
Disu warned that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences would attract arrest and prosecution.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ishyaku Mohammed was deployed to Osun to coordinate election-security operations, with senior police officers assigned across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The Nigeria Police Force said the deployment was aimed at protecting voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, observers and media practitioners.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau also urged Osun voters to support Oyebamiji, arguing that an APC government would return the state to the national political mainstream and accelerate development.
He said Osun had significant human and natural resources but required leadership capable of harnessing them for the benefit of its residents.
Oyebamiji, in his remarks, promised to run an inclusive administration if elected, while APC leaders and governors at the rally urged voters to support the party’s candidate.
The election is scheduled to hold across Osun State on Saturday.