From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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A coalition of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have resolved to work together to fight against the menace of violence and rigging during the Saturday’s Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The NGOs including Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), Kimpat Development and Enough is Enough declared that they would do everything possible to prevent rigging during the Saturday’s polls.
Spokespersons of the groups, Messrs Stephen Aremm and Yemi Adamolekun who spoke at a town hall meeting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Thursday said members of the NGOs spread across the states with other volunteers will mobilize members of other voluntary organizations to ensure that the coming elections are not rigged in any part of the country.
Specifically, Adamolekun said the NGOs have collaborated with the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that violence is nipped in the bud during the elections.
He said all the state commands of the Nigeria Police Force have expressed the readiness of their men to work hand in hand with the NGOs to prevent violence during the elections.
However, he alerted members of the public who may be victimized or harassed during or after the elections to report such incident to the police or members of the civil society at the polling centres, saying that “we have a good collaboration with the Police and other security agencies.
Also, we have a cordial working relationship with other civil society organizations. So, any case of intimidation, attack or victimization on the part of any voter should be reported appropriately.”
He assured that legal actions will be taken against any individual or group of people involved in any violent act during or after the elections, and thereby warned political thugs to shun all the polling centres across the country in their own interest.
Also, Aremu warned against vote buying, just as he cautioned prospective voters against voting based on monetary inducements, saying that no amount is commensurate to their votes.
