The ancient towns of Ile-Ife, Ilesa, and Ila
Orangun have been identified as likely hotbed
of political crisis that need to be kept under
close security surveillance during the August 9
gubernatorial election in Osun State. This was
part of the Election Security Threat Assessment
carried out by CLEEN Foundation ahead of the
polls.
Ile-Ife is the hometown of Iyiola Omisore, the
Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, while
Rauf Aregbesola, the incumbent governor and
candidate of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), hails from Ilesa. The duo are considered
the major contenders among the 20 aspirants
participating in the election. Ila-Orangun is the
hometown of Bisi Akande, APC chieftain and
former governor of Osun State.
Other potential flashpoints during and after the
election include Iwo, Ikirun, Osogbo and Ede,
the hometown of Isiaka Adeleke, another APC
chieftain and former governor of Osun State, as
well as Adejare Bello, Mr. Omisore’s running
mate.
According to the CLEEN Foundation’s Election
Security Brief, unguarded statements,
inflammatory and inciting comments by political
gladiators in the state are contributory factors
to violence. “Any perceived act of prejudice or
bias by security agents in favour or against any
of the contestants can resort to breakdown of
law and order,” the study noted.
Other violence-inducing factors, according to
the assessment, include late arrival of election
personnel and inadequate polling materials;
inadequate security personnel at polling units;
and biased and inaccurate media reportage of
events around the election. “Unwarranted
clampdown on opposition leaders as alleged in
Ekiti State and overzealousness on the part of
the security agents can be counter-productive as
the people may resist any act of molestation or
harassment,” the study stated.
“Inability of some voters to collect their
Permanent Voters Cards or to find their names
on the Voters Register may cause some
challenges at polling units. “A number of clashes
have been reported to have taken place among
the supporters of APC and PDP in some parts of
the state. There were allegations of the
supporters of these parties trying to outdo each
other. These have led to injuries and destruction
of properties. “Vote-buying as is currently being
alleged is an incentive to violence and a great
risk factor,” the study added.

should in case it make front page