By Chukwudi Osuji
Ahead of Saturday's governorship election in Osun State, a non-governmental and non-partisan organization, Citizens Advocate for Peace is Possible in Nigeria, CAPIPIN has pledged to support all stakeholders in electioneering process to achieve a peaceful, transparent and credible poll.
CAPIPIN led by its National Director, Mr.Chibuike Akujuobi made the pledge when the group paid courtesy visits to the Commissioner of Police, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, NYSC Coordinator, among other key stakeholders in the state on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Police Command headquarters in Oshogbo, Akujuobi said the visit was to familiarize with the police leadership in the state and also to identify areas of collaboration to boost public confidence in the electioneering process.
He reiterated the commitment of the Peace Advocacy organization to admonish all Nigerians especially the youths to shun all forms of election malpractices and violence prior, during and after the poll, insisting that "election is never a do or die affair."
"We also want to appeal to the electorate to always choose dialogue as only means of resolving disputes. Election is not war and no life is worth losing because of an election. We should embrace and sue for peace always." CAPIPIN boss said.
Responding, the new Commissioner of Police in charge of elections and security operations in Osun State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale appreciated the group for the visit and assured readiness to work with all election stakeholders to guarantee smooth, violence free, peaceful and credible election on Saturday.
He expressed Command's commitment to guarantee sanity and public safety, boost public confidence, and to tackle attempts to manipulate or distort the electioneering process either through violence or any other form of election malpractices.
CP Erale warned that anyone caught in any act of misconduct during the election would be made to face the wrath of the law, stressing that the police have deployed adequate personnel to man all nook and crannies of the state to forestall violence.
In same vein, the state INEC REC, Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola and NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha in their remarks at their respective offices also applauded CAPIPIN for its visit, while also reaffirming their commitment to conducting credible election.
They stressed that both INEC personnel and corps members have been properly trained and equipped with the right knowledge regarding their duties and expectations during the election aimed at achieving a free, fair and transparent election that would gain collective acceptance.
The visit had in attendance management team of the police, INEC and NYSC as well as members of the CAPIPIN team including Dr. Azubuike Ogechi, (Director of Finance), Mrs. Martha Iyoo (Conference Director), Comr. Collins Osuji, (Director, Election Monitoring), Ms. Adenike Okere (Executive Secretary) and Mr. Hameed Salawu (Osun State Director).
Others in CAPIPIN team were Mr. Solomon Adebayo, Mr. Elijah Adejimi, Amb. Abdulrazaq Apoola, Mrs. Taiwo Ojeleye, Mr. Victor Adebayo, and Mr. Adeyinka Tunde.
