National Coordinator of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire, has called for the people of Osun State to decide the outcome of the August 15 governorship election without intimidation or interference.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Saturday, Ihekaire said his intervention was not in support of any political party or candidate but to advocate for a free, fair and credible electoral process.
“I’m not here to campaign for Adeleke, nor am I here to campaign for anybody, but I’m speaking directly as someone who knows, who understands what free and fair election is all about and what should be done. That free and fair election should be free and everyone should be allowed to vote,” he said.
Ihekaire said the electorate alone should determine who governs the state.
“The people of Osun State have the right to decide who will govern them,” he said.
He maintained that the election should reflect the genuine choice of voters, adding that citizens must be allowed to vote without pressure.
“And so, who says that this time around, the people might not change their mind but we should allow the people to change their mind voluntarily, either for or against.”
Ihekaire also criticised what he described as the use of federal influence in elections, saying it should have no place in a democratic process.
“What I am against is this federal might and that was what people like us fought against in 2008 because I remember then, the governor then, Oyinlola, was like, oh, the federal might, federal might, federal might and that was the language. I don’t want to hear that.”
He urged political actors to allow the electoral process to proceed without interference adding that his interest remained the protection of democracy rather than supporting any political interest.
“I’m a rights activist to the core. I don’t have friends in politics. I have friends in the masses. My interest is in developmental of our democracy and not winning election at all costs.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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