8th March, 2011
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Monday read the riot act against electoral violence and bloodshed as he partners with traditional rulers to prevail on their subjects not to run foul of the law.
The governor according to a statement signed by his media aide, Gbenga Fayemiwo, stated that elections were democratic exercise designed to be peacefully held without rancour warning further that violence and bloodshed during elections would no longer be tolerated by the state government.
He said that anyone found on the wrong side of the law during the coming elections would be made to face the wrath of the law, adding that he did not plan to punish anyone unjustly but those who have chosen to make violence their pastime during elections would be dealt with according to the law.
Aregbesola, however, charged the traditional rulers to explain to their subjects that elections were meant to be peaceful and orderly so that voters could perform their civic duties without harassment or intimidation.
“Elections are meant to be peaceful and devoid of violence. It is a process through which the electorate freely choose their leaders without harassment, intimidation or violence. Elections have no relationship with violence or thuggery. We do not plan to punish anyone unjustly but we shall bring the full weight of the law to bear on anyone who is in the habit of using violence during the elections,†he said.
—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan