The Yoruba Appraisal Forum, YAF has appealed to the Nigerian government to tighten security in the South-West states of Ekiti and Osun during the forthcoming governorship elections scheduled to hold in both states this year.
The Forum which is a coalition of different Yoruba pressure groups in the Southwest region of Nigeria made the call when in a campaign of peace visited the capital Ekiti State, Ado Ekiti and and Osum state capital, Osogbo.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled June 18, 2022, to hold Ekiti governorship election while that of Osun will be held on July 16, 2022.
The National Coordinator of the Forum, Mr. Adeshina Animashaun urged the people of both states to resist anyone trying to perpetrate violence suring the elections.
“Let’s ensure there’s peace before, during and after the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“As Nigerian youths and people, we cannot afford to take our liberty for licence to engage in violent acts that can be injurious to Nigeria’s continued existence.
“Rather, we should at all times strive to play our role patriotically in order to make Nigeria a better place for ourselves and generations yet unborn. We must not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to use us as political thugs to perpetrate electoral fraud and violence. Let’s be very wise and vigilant this time round,” Animashaun said.
The YAF National Coordinator further urged the youths to resist being used to cause division and promote any secessionist agenda.
He said it was only when we promote unity that we can live in peace and prosper as a country.
“Peace and righteousness do a great deal of good to any group of people and nations, and this we believe should continue to bind the conscience of every Nigerian.
“We should, therefore, not give any room to unpatriotic men to destroy the good legacies and country bequeathed to us by Nigeria’s founding fathers.
“We must strive to be among those superior characters to hold the balance of power to keep our great nation up to a high standard of civilization. Second-rate men and women must be effectively checked and kept at bay to save our dear fatherland from collapse,” he said.
Some of the inscriptions on the YAF placards, posters and handbills read: “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace,”
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote. Go out and vote,”
“YAF says ‘No to election Violence,’
“A peaceful atmosphere, brings peaceful co-existence,”
“Your vote is your right,”
“Don’t be used by politicians to cause unrest during forthcoming elections,”
“Use your vote wisely,” and “United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s vote for a united Nigeria.”
E/Suzan O.
