Osun poll: Political actors must shun violence, says ex-AIG

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police AIG Abutu Yaro urged political actors taking part in the upcoming Osun State governorship election on August 15 to refrain from violence. Yaro identified 12 local government areas as high-risk ahead of the poll, emphasizing that security challenges during elections are often driven by political interests.

He stressed that security agencies can only mitigate threats if politicians follow the rules and abide by patriotic principles. Yaro warned that delays in the provision of election materials could incite public anger and foster an environment conducive to violence. Journalists and social media users were advised to avoid spreading unverified information to prevent escalating tensions.

The Kimpact Development Initiative, led by Bukola Idowu, identified operational security measures and political intervention as crucial for ensuring a peaceful election in high-risk areas. Idowu also expressed concerns over the neutrality and professionalism of security personnel, noting that their conduct could trigger violence.

The assessment highlighted the importance of voting materials and the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in ensuring a credible election.