NGO, calls on President Tinubu to safeguard Osun election
By Ahmed Ahmed
An NGO, Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative (Thamani) has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide firm national leadership to safeguard peace, electoral integrity and the lives of citizens during the Aug. 15 Osun Governorship Election.
The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its Programme Director, Mr Nicholas Oshojah Afeso, on Thursday in Maiduguri
Thamani expressed concern over reported killings, violent attacks, threats, intimidation and divisive political and religious rhetoric ahead of the election.
It cited a Nigeria Police Force disclosure of 30 cases of alleged politically motivated killings in Osun and a pre-election security risk assessment by Kimpact Development Initiative, which reportedly documented 73 election-related violent incidents and 29 deaths.
The organisation said the situation required urgent intervention to prevent violence from undermining citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
It urged Tinubu to publicly reaffirm the Federal Government’s zero tolerance for electoral violence, voter intimidation and partisan interference by state institutions.
According to Thamani, every citizen and political actor in Osun, irrespective of political affiliation, should be guaranteed equal protection under the law.
It also called on security agencies, including the police and Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate reported killings, threats and attacks promptly and impartially.
“Where credible evidence exists, perpetrators and sponsors must face the law regardless of their political connections,” the organisation said
Thamani further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen security around election personnel, sensitive materials, polling units and collation centres, particularly in identified hotspots.
The organisation condemned the use of religion as a tool for political mobilisation, warning that the trend could deepen divisions among communities.
It said Osun belonged equally to all its citizens, regardless of their religious or political affiliations, and urged candidates to seek votes based on character, competence, integrity, records and policy ideas.
The group also appealed to Christian, Muslim and traditional leaders to discourage religious incitement and promote peaceful participation.
Political parties and candidates were urged to publicly renounce violence, discipline supporters who issue threats and accept responsibility for their campaign structures.
Thamani also called on youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.
It warned that what was normalised in Osun could become a precedent for the 2027 general elections.
“The winner should be decided by the ballot, not by bullets, fear, religious identity or the misuse of state power,” Thamani said.
