Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji has implored political parties and their candidates to shun violence before, during and after the election.

     The Osun REC spoke while addressing  governorship candidates and key stakeholders during a stakeholders forum organised by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Osun chapter tagged; Omoluabi Convergence in Osogbo.

Raji maintained that  criminals are not faceless, urging residents to become more responsive in their various communities.

He said that measures were in place to ensure that there is no inconclusive elections.

Raji urged the electorate to vote a candidate that would improve their lives, state  in the next four years.

“We are here today because we are discussing  why we had an inconclusive election the last time and that we don’t want a repeat of such.

In his remarks, NIPR President, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo expressed joy over the resuscitation of the Forum.

Sirajo urged that the forthcoming election should be “a peaceful battle for the development of the state and improvement of the people’s welfare. There is no virtue in rancour or violence, he added.”

Also speaking, President of Osun Development Association (ODA), Dr Segun Aina stated that progress and development are usually evident in a peaceful state.

He said, “we already have too many security challenges, combining electoral violence with it will dampen our economy more. We all have to play our part in the electoral process.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Chairman of NIPR, Ademola Adesoji said the candidates, political parties, security agencies, the media, religious bodies, civil societies and other stakeholders were at the event to be enlightened on the need to maintain peace and ensure violence-free election.