The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election in Osun on Saturday, August 15.

IPAC national chairman Yusuf Dantalle made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja, following the council’s general assembly meeting in Osun.

Mr Dantalle said the meeting reviewed the political situation in the state and stressed the need to safeguard democratic values, peaceful engagement and the electorate’s right to choose.

“The election must be a genuine contest of ideas, policies, programmes and popularity, while the freely expressed will of Osun people determines the outcome,” Mr Dantalle said.

He urged political parties, candidates and supporters to reject violence, intimidation, harassment and inflammatory statements, stressing that political competition must not become political warfare.

Mr Dantalle appealed to political leaders to exercise restraint and statesmanship, saying that voters should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation, inducement, manipulation or interference.

He condemned electoral violence, thuggery and destruction of property, urging political parties to dissociate themselves from violent groups while calling on security agencies to remain professional and impartial.

The IPAC chairman also expressed concern over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) freezing of Osun government accounts, describing the action as politically motivated.

Mr Dantalle urged the EFCC to exercise caution, professionalism and restraint, stressing that the fight against corruption must be pursued within the law, due process and respect for citizens’ rights.

He warned against using state institutions, public resources, governmental machinery or security apparatus to intimidate political opponents, suppress legitimate activities or manipulate the electoral process.

“Government institutions belong to the people and must remain politically neutral, professional and impartial, rather than become instruments of partisan political competition,” Mr Dantalle said.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election professionally, transparently and impartially, while ensuring timely distribution of materials and accurate collation.

Mr Dantalle also urged security agencies to operate within their constitutional mandates and protect voters, candidates, electoral officials and materials without discrimination, intimidation or political interference.

He condemned vote buying and voter inducement, urging parties and candidates to compete through ideas, programmes, records and development plans rather than financial inducement.

“The vote of every Nigerian is sacred. No citizen should be compelled, induced or coerced to exchange their votes for money, gifts or political favours,” he stated.

The IPAC chairman appealed to Osun residents to remain peaceful, vigilant and patriotic, protect their permanent voter cards and vote according to their conscience without allowing them to be used for violence.

He said credible elections required collective responsibility from political parties, candidates, voters, INEC, security agencies, judiciary, media, civil society, traditional and religious leaders.

Mr Dantalle urged the media to promote factual and responsible reporting, while civil society organisations and observers should independently monitor the process and report credible findings through appropriate channels.

According to him, let the people’s votes count, let the votes be accurately counted and let the results reflect the votes. Let the will of the people prevail.

(NAN)