The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Osun State Directorate, has urged eligible voters across the state to participate peacefully in the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, 15 August.
State Director Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen made the call in Osogbo through a statement signed by Bunmi Olaseinde, the agency’s Public Relations Officer. He said citizens should approach the election with patriotism, responsibility and commitment to democratic values, and that every eligible voter has the right to choose a candidate freely, without fear, intimidation or inducement.
Adefarasin assured residents that security agencies deployed for the poll had been mandated to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders. The presence of security personnel, he said, should not cause concern for law-abiding citizens before, during or after voting. He urged political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders to remain peaceful and respect the rule of law throughout the process.
Voters and political actors were called upon to reject violence, vote-buying and vote-selling. Maintaining the credibility of the election, he stressed, is a collective responsibility. He advised voters to cast their ballots peacefully and return home afterwards, and to allow the electoral process to run its course. “Let history record that in Osun, Nigeria, we choose dialogue over violence; we choose ballots over bullets, and we choose peace over chaos,” he said.
The message is standard civic guidance issued on the eve of a competitive state election. Its practical weight will be measured by whether the atmosphere at polling units matches the language of restraint. When security is visible and inducement is openly discouraged, the remaining variable is the willingness of political actors and their supporters to treat the ballot as the sole legitimate instrument of contest. The agency’s role is to reinforce that expectation; the outcome depends on how widely it is observed on the day.
