With the Osun State gubernatorial election a few months away, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has called on all political gladiators to play by the rules to ensure a credible and fair poll.
The Osun State command of the NSCDC made the call in Osogbo on Tuesday at a summit organised by the corpse for stakeholders on violence-free poll.
The summit, which was held at the NSCDC State Headquarters, Osogbo, was organised by the Peace and Conflict Management Unit, with the theme: “Violence Free Election in Osun State; Our Collective Responsibilities.”
Assistant Commandant General (ACG) Adeyinka Fasiu, the NSCDC Zonal Commander, Zone J, said credible and fair election was possible in the State if all political gladiators could play by the rules.
Adeyinka, while explaining the importance of violence-free elections and the preparedness of the Corps, emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the electoral process to collectively play their parts in achieving a credible gubernatorial election.
He also appealed to the youths to shun thuggery and not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction during the election.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant, NSCDC, Osun State Command, Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja appealed to politicians and the electorates to ensure that the forthcoming election in the State was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.
Commandant Ocheja, who noted that the security agencies would be all out during the polls to maintain peace, protect critical national infrastructure and INEC officials and electoral materials, warned that anyone caught perpetrating violence would be dealt with in line with the law.
The State Coordinator of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr Abiodun Oluropo, who was the guest speaker for the program, in his presentation, said for the election to be violence-free, all political gladiators, as well as the general public must play politics according to the electoral laws and the constitution.
He also appealed to political stakeholders to shun rigging, fake news, cheating, money inducement, double standard, vote buying, among others, in order not to trigger election violence.