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Tayo Olanipekun
The Missions of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (U.K.) and the United States (U.S.) to Nigeria have urged electorates in the upcoming re-run of the governorship election in Osun State to remain peaceful during the exercise.
In a joint statement issued by the three Missions on Tuesday through the U.S. Embassy on the September 22 election and the re-run slated for September 27, they said the inconclusive election was peaceful and noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) achieved an improved organisation.
“We commend the people of Osun for voting peacefully, the Independent National Electoral Commission for the improved organisation of the election, and security services for their conduct,” said the statement.
They urged all the parties involved and their members to continue to support “a peaceful, free, fair, and credible completion of the process” as INEC is set to re-run the election in seven polling units.
According to the statement, through no fault of their own, voters were not able to cast their votes and have them counted last Saturday in the affected polling units,hence the need fpr cooperation with the election umpire.
“We stress the importance that the re-run should take place without any violence, intimidation, or vote buying.
“Whoever wins the election after Thursday’s vote should be magnanimous in victory, and whoever loses should be gracious in defeat.
It is recalled that the candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Boyega Oyetola and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Yekeen Adeleke were in a close contest at the polls,making INEC declare the exercise inconclusive.
