Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has raised strong concerns regarding the heavy deployment of security personnel across Osun State ahead of the state’s upcoming governorship election.
Key Highlights of the Statement
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“Election Is Not War”: Atiku cautioned that democratic elections should be viewed as a peaceful civic responsibility rather than a military operation. He emphasized that overly aggressive security setups risk intimidating everyday voters and suppressing turnout.
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Concerns Over Militarization: The statement follows reports of heightened security measures across Osun State, including military deployment around key electoral sites like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state headquarters in Osogbo.
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Demand for Police Neutrality: Pointing to recent administrative changes—including the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police—Atiku urged all security agencies to demonstrate strict political neutrality and focus solely on protecting citizens and safeguarding the integrity of the ballot.
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Call to Stakeholders: He called on political actors, electoral authorities, and residents to foster a calm atmosphere conducive to a free, fair, and credible election.
