Yiaga Africa has expressed significant concern regarding the rising incidents of violence occurring before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. Samson Itodo, the group’s Executive Director, discussed these security challenges during a Friday interview on Arise Television.
Itodo confirmed that representatives from various civil society organizations met with the Inspector-General of Police to address the intense and competitive atmosphere surrounding the vote. He specifically highlighted alarming reports of political kidnappings and fatalities, emphasizing that these actions threaten the integrity of the democratic process.
According to Itodo, there are concerns that certain actors may attempt to manipulate security personnel by leveraging federal influence. Consequently, he has urged President Bola Tinubu to issue a clear directive to security agencies, instructing them to remain neutral. Itodo stated that the President must ensure that any individual attempting to abuse their connections to government power will face legal consequences. He stressed that while the residents of Osun are prepared to cast their ballots, they remain deeply anxious about the current safety environment.
