March 11: CSO Decries Incessant Political Killings In Osun
Ahead Saturday general elections, a Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of World Institute of Peace (W.I.P) has called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to curb the menace of political killings in Nigeria and Osun State in particular.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi who lamented the spat of incessant killings at the build up to the presidential and national assembly election in Osun noted that if the violence trend is allowed to continue, it will have adverse effects on the March 11, elections in the state.
He further called on the presidency to prevail on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to intensify efforts on the arrest of hoodlums perpetrating violence before the forthcoming election in Osun state and other parts of the country to ensure the safety of electorate.
According to him, while series of political thuggery activities are happening everyday in Osun, the state government has not done much to caution perpetrators, hence the need to call on the presidency.
Dr. Lamina Omotoyosi pleaded that the spat of violence must not be allowed to linger on any longer because the havocs it had caused especially in Osun State are in no small measure according to verifiable reports.
He noted that political thuggery can undermine the legitimacy of an elected government, as citizens may feel their voices have been silenced through violence and manipulation adding that it can lead to an erosion of public trust in the electoral process and the political system as a whole.
“All eyes are on Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari is charged to live up to expectations.The sad news that political thuggery has claimed lives in Osun state recently is so disheartening and the worrisome part of it is that, the state government is not doing anything to put an end to the ugly incidents caused by some political thugs in the states.
“However, it is a cast down to learn that Osun state government has not made any statement concerning those who have lost their lives to political thugs in the state within the last few months neither did the government give warning, and instead, the government is empowering the alleged political thugs with state appointments.
“In point of facts, many state governments are doing same as that of Osun as they are planning to win their states for their various political parties during the elections”, the human rights activist posited.
