The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Osun State has urged eligible voters to participate peacefully in the upcoming governorship election, emphasizing the importance of patriotism, responsibility, and adherence to democratic values.
The State Director, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, made the appeal in a statement issued in Osogbo by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Bunmi Olaseinde. Adefarasin stressed that every eligible voter possesses the right to freely choose a candidate without fear, intimidation, or inducement, calling on citizens to exercise that right responsibly.
He assured residents that security agencies deployed for the election have been mandated to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials, and other stakeholders. The director noted that the presence of security personnel should not be a source of concern for law-abiding citizens before, during, or after the exercise.
Adefarasin further called on political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, youths, and other stakeholders to remain peaceful and respect the rule of law throughout the electoral process. He urged voters and political actors to reject violence, vote buying, and vote selling, stressing that maintaining the credibility of the election is a collective responsibility.
The state director advised voters to cast their ballots peacefully and return home afterward, while urging all stakeholders to allow the electoral process to run its course without interference. “Let history record that in Osun, Nigeria, we choose dialogue over violence; we choose ballots over bullets, and we choose peace over chaos,” Adefarasin said.
The appeal highlights the agency’s commitment to fostering a credible and violence-free electoral environment in the state.
