Abuja: The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has highlighted election violence as a significant threat to peaceful democratic transitions. Issa-Onilu shared this perspective during a news conference in Osogbo, titled ‘Campaign Against Voter Apathy and Vote Buying: Towards a Violence-Free Election and Massive Turnout’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Issa-Onilu urged political stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming August 15 governorship election in Osun remains free of violence, property destruction, intimidation, or any breakdown of law and order. Represented by the agency’s Zonal Director, Mr. Kehinde Ogunkuade, Issa-Onilu emphasized that no political ambition is worth the loss of human lives. He cautioned youths against being used as tools for violence, political thuggery, or electoral disruption.
Issa-Onilu called on political parties, candidates, supporters, and other stakeholders to engage in issue-based campaigns, fostering tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence before, during, and after the election. He expressed concern over persistent voter apathy, which continues to undermine democratic development in the country.
He noted that many citizens have become disillusioned, believing their votes do not matter, and have lost confidence in governance, leading to election abstention. He stressed the importance of rejecting this attitude and urged eligible voters in Osun to recognize voting as a civic duty and patriotic responsibility, crucial for shaping the future of communities, the state, and democracy.
Issa-Onilu also addressed the threat posed by vote buying and selling, condemning the practice as detrimental to credible elections. He warned that exchanging votes for money or material gifts compromises electoral integrity and weakens governance, transforming leadership into a transactional process rather than one accountable to the people.
He appealed to the electorate to resist temporary financial gains from vote selling, highlighting the long-term negative consequences such as inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, insecurity, and weak social services. Issa-Onilu praised security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their efforts in preparing for a peaceful and credible election and urged political actors to conduct their campaigns responsibly, avoiding actions that could undermine the electoral process’s credibility.
The NOA boss concluded by emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens in protecting democracy, noting that peaceful elections enhance national unity, promote development, and deepen public trust in democratic institutions. He called for collaborative efforts to ensure the Osun governorship election serves as a model of peaceful participation, electoral integrity, and democratic maturity for the nation.