Osun LG poll: Atiku urges peaceful exercise

By John Ogunsemore

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free local government election in Osun State.

Atiku, an ally of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, made the call in a statement on Saturday.

Daily Sun reports that the LG poll holding across the state on Saturday, February 22 has been greeted with acrimony.

This is as the state government rejected security advice from the Nigeria Police Force to suspend conduct of the local government election on Saturday (today).

Atiku said, “As residents in Osun State go out to the polls today to elect council chairpersons, I once again urge for a peaceful and hitch-free exercise.

“The local council election is the heartbeat of a democratic system, given that its outcome impacts closely on the lives of the citizens.

“I commend Governor Ademola Adeleke for going ahead with the exercise and urge security agencies and polling officials to perform their duties with the highest sense of responsibility to the public.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government said it would proceed with the election in spite of security advice from the police.

In a Friday statement, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said intelligence reports at the disposal of the police showed a high possibility of violence in the state should the election be held.

But in a counter statement, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi said the state government would proceed with the exercise.

According to Alimi, the grounds for rejecting the advice were based on the rule of law and aversion to police partisanship.