BARRING any unforeseen circumstance, the people of Osun will on Saturday vote to elect another governor for the state
THE governor elect would take over the baton of leadership from Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, whose tenure terminates early next year.
AT the state, political gladiators from different political callings will slug it out to succeed the outgoing governor, Rauf Aregbesola. Their fate will be determined by the 1.8million eligible voters who will troop out to cast their votes for their choice candidate in an election that has become a cynosure of all eyes.
NO doubt, the outcome of the election would go a long at determining what the coming general elections slated for February next year would look like.
THUS all political parties in the country, especially the Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, would stop at nothing to win the election.
THE implications of this is that attention would be focused on the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC.
AGAIN, the political gladiators will want to use this election to prove a point, test their popularity and by extension try to manipulate.
THEREFORE all hands must be on deck to ensure that the election is not only free and fair but acceptable to all.
WE plead that the electoral umpire is made to discharge its duties without any form of interference from any quarter.
THE Commission and its officials must be above board and should not take gratifications from politicians with a view to manipulating results.
WE advise the Commission to see to it that all electoral materials are available at the polling booths in time and all processes towards a hitch free election must be done.
THE Commission should guard against vote buying and law enforcement agencies should look out for politicians carrying money to the polling booth. We advise that they should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
WITH over 40,000 security officers manning security in the state, there should be no problem of ballot snatching and thuggery The law enforcement agents must be above board and make sure that Osun election is free, fair and credible. They should avoid any act capable of casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election.
WE also advise that flash points in the state should be monitored.
OUR politicians should play the game according to the rule. There should be no to thuggery, maiming and burning movable and immovable assets of co-contestants and supporters. Killing opponents and their supporters should not happen.
WE appeal fervently to our politicians not to abuse or exploit innocent youths of the state in pursuit of their personal gains.
THE voters in Osun State and overzealous youths must not offer their blood as sacrifice for politicians to use for political gains.
