By: Goodluck E.Adubazi

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful governorship election in Osun State, warning political parties and candidates against violence, intimidation, vote-buying and the abuse of state institutions ahead of Saturday’s poll.
IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf M. Dantalle, made the call on Monday in Abuja following the council’s General Assembly meeting on the political situation in Osun State.

Dantalle said the August 15 governorship election must reflect the freely expressed will of the people, stressing that no individual, political party, institution or group should attempt to substitute its will for that of the electorate.

He urged all stakeholders to place the peace, stability and democratic future of Osun State above partisan and personal interests.

According to him, political competition must not degenerate into political warfare, insisting that parties and candidates must conduct their activities in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable regulations.

He called on candidates, political parties, campaign organisations, supporters and agents to reject violence, intimidation, harassment, provocation and inflammatory statements, while encouraging them to accept legitimate electoral outcomes and pursue genuine grievances through lawful channels.

The council expressed concern over the heightened political tension in the state and appealed to political leaders and their supporters to immediately de-escalate the situation.

Dantalle urged politicians to lower the temperature of political rhetoric and refrain from threats, actions or counter-actions capable of undermining peace and stability.

He said the people of Osun State should not be made to bear the consequences of political disagreements among political actors.

IPAC also condemned electoral violence, political thuggery, intimidation, harassment and destruction of property, calling for zero tolerance for violence before, during and after the election.

The council urged political parties and candidates to publicly dissociate themselves from violent groups and ensure that their supporters do not engage in activities capable of disrupting the electoral process.

It equally called on security agencies to operate professionally, impartially and within the law, saying their presence at polling units should give voters confidence and protection rather than create fear or intimidation.

The council, however, took a strong position against the reported freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as politically motivated and capable of undermining the administration of the state.

IPAC argued that investigations into alleged financial impropriety could be conducted and anyone found culpable prosecuted without resorting to what it described as a blanket freezing of state government accounts.

Dantalle said such an action could affect millions of citizens by restricting access to public resources meant for essential services and development programmes.

He expressed particular concern over its potential impact on the payment of salaries and other legitimate entitlements of civil servants.

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

The council warned against the use or abuse of state institutions, public resources, governmental machinery or security apparatus to intimidate political opponents, suppress legitimate political activities or manipulate the electoral process.

According to Dantalle, government institutions belong to the people and must remain institutions of the state rather than instruments of partisan political competition.

He said all public institutions involved in the election must maintain political neutrality, professionalism, impartiality and strict adherence to the rule of law.

“ The ballot belongs to the people. The electoral process belongs to the people. And the outcome must reflect the will of the people,” he said.

The council charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election with the highest degree of professionalism, independence, transparency and impartiality.

It urged the electoral body to ensure strict compliance with the Constitution, Electoral Act 2026, its regulations, guidelines and approved timetable.

IPAC further demanded that eligible voters be allowed to vote without intimidation or obstruction, while election officials and ad-hoc personnel should be properly trained and adequately supervised.

It also called for timely distribution of electoral materials, transparent accreditation and voting, accurate collation and announcement of results, equal treatment of all political parties and prompt handling of complaints within INEC’s legal powers.

The council called on all security agencies deployed for the election to remain non-partisan and operate strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandates.

Dantalle said security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination.

He also urged political parties and their supporters to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of provoking confrontation or compromising public safety.

IPAC condemned vote-buying and other forms of voter inducement, describing the vote of every Nigerian as sacred.

It urged candidates and political parties to compete on the basis of their ideas, programmes, records and vision for Osun State rather than through money, gifts or political favours.

The council also called on political parties contesting the election to demonstrate genuine commitment to peaceful political competition before, during and after the poll.

Dantalle said the central message of IPAC was that the people of Osun State must be allowed to freely choose their governor.

He stressed that the integrity of an election went beyond the casting of ballots to encompass campaigning, voter mobilisation, accreditation, voting, counting, collation, declaration of results and the lawful resolution of disputes.

The council urged political parties and candidates to respect the rule of law and utilise established legal mechanisms whenever disputes arise rather than resorting to violence, self-help or extra-legal measures.

IPAC also appealed to the people of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and patriotic, warning them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.

The council urged voters to protect their Permanent Voter Cards, vote according to their conscience and choice, and remain calm after casting their ballots to allow electoral officials to perform their duties.

It reminded stakeholders that no election was worth the destruction of the peace, unity and future of Osun State.

Dantalle said responsibility for a credible election rested not only with INEC but also with political parties, candidates, voters, security agencies, the Judiciary, media, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders.

He specifically urged the media to promote factual, balanced and responsible reporting and avoid disseminating unverified information capable of inflaming political tension.

As the August 15 election approaches, IPAC said its overriding interest remained the success of democracy and the protection of the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.

“Let the votes of the people count. Let the votes be counted accurately. Let the results reflect the votes. Let the will of the people prevail,” Dantalle said.

He added: “Let the people of Osun choose their leader. This is the essence of democracy. This is the responsibility of all of us.”