Desperation by political parties threat to Osun governorship election, says Yiaga Africa

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Yiaga Africa has warned that the desperation of contending political parties could threaten the integrity of the July 16 governorship elections in Osun State.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday on the pre-election observation for the election, Yiaga Director of programs, Cynthia Mbamalu stated that major political parties have intensified their campaigns deploying both legal and illegal antics in an attempt to win.

She noted that the Osun election is beyond contest for the office of the governor as the major political parties it as a last-ditch effort to gain a strong impetus going into the crucial 2023 general elections.         

Mbamalu also observed that activities of cultists and political thugs in some local government areas of the state are capable of threatening the peaceful and credible conduct of the election, if not quickly contained.         

She also alleged that there are attempts by some political mercenaries to manipulate the process right from the pre-election stage.               

“It is barely 10 days to the Osun governorship election, and the rate of voter inducement across the state is increasing, indicating that money may be a defining factor in the election on Saturday, July 16th, 2022.

“Yiaga Africa is therefore concerned that this practice of vote merchandising if not curbed will consistently delegitimize political mandate and undermine the electoral process,” she stated.

Also speaking, a member of the board of Yiaga, Ezenwa Nwagwu called on all political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns and shun luring voters with unsustainable gifts that would not lead to the economic development of the State.

Nwagwu appealed to political parties and candidates to disengage themselves from encouraging thuggery and cultism through monetary gifts during campaigns as it encourages violence.