Former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Lai Olurode, has cautioned politicians in Osun state against fomenting crises during the July 16 governorship election.
Professor Olurode gave the warning while addressing Journalists in Osogbo, at a Peace Summit “Omoluabi convergence” organized by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Osun State chapter, for governorship candidates to address some stakeholders in the state.
He said elections should not be seen as do or die affairs, warning that causing a breach of peace over an election may truncate democracy.
“There would be other elections if they lose this time, tomorrow, they can win, but if they destroy the state because they lost an election or raise false alarms, false allegations there would be no state for them to do anything again.”
In his address, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Professor Abdulganiy Raji, said the Commission can only sensitize people and politicians against vote selling and buying, “INEC has no power to arrest those indulging in the act”.
Professor Raji, however, urged people not to sell their votes, saying involvement in that may lead to the emergence of incompetent leaders.
In his remark, the President, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, said NIPR as an image-maker wants political gladiators in Osun to maintain the peaceful image identified with the state during and after the election.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, NIPR Osun State, Mr. Ademola Adesoji, had explained that the summit was to encourage politicians to ensure peace in the state by signing a Peace charter by all political parties.
Funmi Adekoya
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