Imole Campaign Council, on Monday, raised the alarm about an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission to abruptly end voting by 12 noon in some parts of Osun State during the August 15 governorship election.
ICC, in a statement on Monday in Osogbo by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, claimed that the alleged plan targeted local government areas regarded as political strongholds of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The council said the alleged move was aimed at suppressing votes and disenfranchising eligible voters in the affected areas.
“The people of Osun State must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully without obstruction, intimidation or deliberate disenfranchisement,” the statement said.
The ICC urged INEC to resist any political pressure and adhere strictly to established voting procedures and timelines during the election.
The council said, “No polling unit should be arbitrarily closed while eligible voters who presented themselves within the stipulated voting period are waiting to exercise their franchise.”
The ICC also alleged that the APC had previously attempted to exclude Adeleke and his party from the ballot through legal challenges, accusing the party of subsequently resorting to arrests, intimidation and harassment of Accord Party members by the police.
ICC alleged that the purported attempt to influence INEC was another effort to undermine the electoral process after the earlier measures allegedly failed to weaken support for the governor.
But ICC did not provide details of the intelligence it said formed the basis of its allegation.
The council called on INEC to ensure that electoral rules were applied uniformly across the state “without fear, favour or political interference.”
It also urged civil society organisations, election observers, international bodies and the media to monitor the election closely and act as watchdogs against any attempt to manipulate state institutions.
According to the statement, “The Osun State governorship election is a precursor to the 2027 general elections, and it must be free, fair, transparent and devoid of any manipulation or disenfranchisement.
“The people of Osun State are ready to vote. They must be allowed to vote, and every lawful vote must count.”
