Aregbesola Warns Against Intimidation, As Osun Declares Holiday
Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has admonished people not to be intimidated, harassed, subjugated, cowed or provoked to do something rash during Saturday’s election.
He said this in a statewide broadcast, as the state also declared Friday as public holiday.
Aregbesola also counselled people to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner devoid of any rancor before, during and after the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
While enjoining people to walk freely to polling units with their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to exercise their civic responsibilities, Aregbesola told them to pray for a peaceful election.
He said, “What is required of you on Saturday and in subsequent elections is to march majestically to your various polling stations, armed with your Permanent Voters Card and exercise your God-given power to determine your leader.
“Do not be intimidated, harassed, subjugated, cowed or provoked to do something rash on that day. You have defied tyrants, despots, masked gunmen, attack dogs and other intimidating apparatuses of dictatorships in the past and have triumphed gloriously.”
He also asked them to wait around their polling unit, be vigilant until voting ends and the ballots are counted and result announced.
“You can then peacefully return home with joy and singing. If you notice any individual trying to foment trouble, disrupt voting or any suspicious activity capable of undermining the integrity of the election, please bring this to the notice of law enforcement agents immediately,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has declared Friday as public holiday to allow residents of the state to travel to their various towns and communities to partake in the next Saturday Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
This was contained in a statement by the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere, on Thursday.
The statement exhorted all major stakeholders involved in the elections and all security agencies to allow the overall interest of the nation to guide their conduct.
