The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has cautioned security agencies in the state against compromising their oaths of service in the task of protecting, maintaining and sustaining peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the conduct of the August 9 governorship election in the state.
Aregbesola made the call on Friday when he granted audience to the Zonal Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zone Four, ACG Oladapo Jacob Amujare.
The governor, who said all genuine patriots must be concerned, urged security agencies to bring to bear their intelligence gathering to nip in the bud any threat, affront or reckless abuse of rights of people to choose their representatives through the ballot.
Aregbesola, who said that there is no racial, continental or regional impediment for not having a free and fair election, further challenged the security agencies to be alert to any actions, utterances and movements capable of threatening the peaceful handling of electoral process.
According to Aregbesola, the security agencies should demonstrate their capabilities to identify black spots and personalities who may be planning to unleash terror to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election in August.
Stressing that the consequence of a fraudulent electoral process is grave, Aregbesola appealed to all stakeholders to be vigilant by guaranteeing credible, free, fair and transparent election.
He said: “Democracy will only have meaning if the free choice of the people through credible electoral process is guaranteed.
“If this process is corroded, undermined or compromised, democracy loses its meaning.
“I promise to collaborate with you in ensuring that we have a gubernatorial election in August 9 that will be a reference point and one that is transparent and credible.”
The governor, who reiterated the administration’s zero tolerance for crime, described as uncivilised, barbaric and reckless the abuse of rights of others to live, warned against jungle justice being meted to suspected kidnappers.
He called on the people of the state to be cautious and vigilant by not being casual or nonchalant on the issue of security most especially the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, stressing that such refuse is capable of carrying potential threat to lives and property.
In his response, ACG Amujare commended the governor for the relative peace being enjoyed in Osun State, saying this has engendered progress and unusual tangible and intangible developmental revolution since the beginning of Aregbesola’s coming to power.
Amujare said the government has demonstrated that it values and recognises the importance of security by ensuring a robust interaction among heads of security agencies in the state.
He affirmed his agency’s commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible election both in Ekiti and Osun States.
He said: “My official visit to the State of the Virtuous is to familiarize myself with my operational terrain and to ascertain our preparedness for the August 9 election as well as to identify areas that may need quick intervention.
“May I assure you that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps is fully prepared to ensure a free, fair, credible and violence-free election in the State of Osun and in the interest of all.”
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