Ex-TMG chair raises alarm over pre-election
A former Chairperson of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Associate Professor of Law, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, has raised concerns over the escalating political tension ahead of the Osun...
A former Chairperson of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Associate Professor of Law, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, has raised concerns over the escalating political tension ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
She warned that the current atmosphere poses a serious threat to the credibility of the poll and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement yesterday, the human rights lawyer and governance expert urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and credible manner.
Drawing on her extensive experience in election observation and democratic governance, Akiyode-Afolabi noted that developments in Osun reflect several early warning signs commonly associated with electoral violence.
“As an election observer, I understand the warning signs that often precede electoral violence. The developments unfolding in Osun demand urgent and collective action to prevent further escalation,” she said.
She expressed concern over the growing political tension, reports of election-related violence and loss of lives, inflammatory rhetoric, and increasing public anxiety ahead of the poll.
According to official and security reports, over twenty persons have reportedly lost their lives in politically related violence in the build-up to the election.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi also noted that recent controversies, including the freezing of an Osun State Government bank account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the deployment of about 15,000 police personnel, and the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, and five others over alleged vote-buying (who were later released), have heightened public concern over the electoral environment, amid allegations and counter-allegations among political actors.
While not questioning the constitutional authority of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of electoral offences and make arrests where necessary, she observed that the arrest of a high-ranking government official and political stalwart at such a sensitive stage of the electoral process has the potential to heighten political tension, deepen public suspicion, fuel reprisals among supporters, and undermine confidence in the fairness and credibility of the election if not handled with the utmost transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
While acknowledging that governorship candidates had signed a Peace Accord, she stressed that genuine commitment to peaceful elections must be demonstrated through responsible conduct rather than symbolic gestures.
“The true test of that commitment lies not in signing documents but in the actions of political leaders, their supporters, and the institutions responsible for safeguarding our democracy,” she stated.
Without taking sides in the controversy, the election expert and associate professor of law cautioned that actions taken by public institutions during an election period must be transparent, lawful, and capable of inspiring and strengthening public confidence in the democratic process.
She also urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial, and accountable to the Constitution, stressing that their responsibility is to protect citizens and secure the electoral process without creating the perception of political bias or intimidation.
The former TMG boss further called on INEC to continue demonstrating independence, transparency, and professionalism, insisting that every lawful vote must count and that the outcome of the election should reflect the freely expressed will of the people.
She appealed to political leaders to immediately de-escalate tensions, reject violence, hate speech, and intimidation, and publicly encourage their supporters to embrace peaceful participation before, during, and after the electoral process.
“No political office is worth the life of a single Nigerian,” Akiyode-Afolabi declared. “Let the people decide. Let institutions remain neutral. Let peace prevail.”
