Governor Ademola Adeleke dropping his ballot paper.
By Dele Ayorinde
The Coalition of Election Observers in the Osun February 22 local government election commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, and the people of Osun State for their peaceful conduct.
This is just as the group berated the Nigeria Police Force over its threat advice ahead of the council elections.
Speaking at a press conference held in Osogbo, on Sunday, the Chairman of the Coalition of Election Observers, Declan Ihekaire, raised concern over the conduct of the Nigerian Police, who were accused of issuing threats and dissuading some voters from exercising their franchise.
“The role played before and during the election by the Nigerian Police as observed by us shouldn’t go unannounced. It was clear that the Police that should have been extremely neutral was seen issuing advice of threats thereby dissuaded some voters from coming out to exercise their franchise.
“We condemn such steps taken by the police and it was clear that the Nigerian Police in this stance had ulterior motives to prevent the scheduled election.
“Not enough, the Police went further to lock up the OSIEC Head Office in order to stop the election but kudos to OSIEC that had released various voting materials to its staff for the conduct of the election before the invasion of its office by the Nigeria Police.
The observer groups congratulated the winners and urged those who may not be satisfied with the process of the election to seek redress in court.
“We congratulate all those who emerged victorious in this election and also urge those not satisfied with the process to toe the line of peaceful conduct through legitimate means which is the court to seek redress rather than engaging in acta capelle of distorting law and order in the state”, he added.
