NDC hopeful denounces violent clashes, hooliganism ahead of Osun polls

Nathaniel Oduyemi, a senatorial aspirant for Osun Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has spoken out against the rising tide of violence and unrest in parts of Osun State as elections approach, deeming the situation both disturbing and unacceptable.

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In a personal statement issued on Saturday, Oduyemi expressed his deep pain and concern over videos circulating on social media that appear to show political thugs attacking people, destroying property, and causing residents to flee for safety.

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Oduyemi stated that the horrifying videos have left him heartbroken, and he believes the violence does not reflect the state's values and reputation, saying "This is not the Osun we know, and certainly not the image our dear state should be projecting to Nigeria and the international community".

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The senatorial aspirant condemned every act of political violence, intimidation, and lawlessness allegedly perpetrated by individuals associated with any political party, insisting that no political office is worth the loss of lives, and that "No political ambition is worth the blood of any son or daughter of Osun State".

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Oduyemi emphasized that democracy should be a contest of ideas and vision, not a battlefield where lives are endangered, and he called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to act swiftly and impartially to prevent the situation from escalating.

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He urged that those responsible for sponsoring or carrying out acts of violence must be identified, shamed, and brought to justice, and that "Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done".

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Oduyemi also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore peace in the state, saying "As the leader of the nation, I urge Mr President to ensure that every necessary step is taken to restore calm, protect lives and property, and reassure the people of Osun that democracy will not be undermined by violence".

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He warned that failure to act swiftly could expose the people of Osun to greater hardship and unimaginable disaster, and reiterated his commitment to peaceful and issue-based politics, saying he would not embrace violence in pursuit of political office.

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Oduyemi expressed concern over the recruitment of young people as political thugs, saying the state's youths should instead be empowered to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, and that "Our youths deserve much better than being recruited as political thugs".

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He stated that those behind political violence often shield their own children from such activities while exposing poor youths to danger, and declared that if investigations nail any political leader to these unrest, he would stop at nothing until such is seen behind bars.

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Oduyemi urged young people to reject any invitation to engage in violence, warning that the consequences could last for generations, and said "Elections will come and go, but the consequences of violence may remain for generations".

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He also called on parents, guardians, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to discourage young people from allowing themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble.

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Oduyemi pledged that, if elected to represent Osun Central Senatorial District, he would champion policies to empower youths through quality education, skills acquisition, enterprise development, and job creation.

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He concluded by praying for peace and urging all stakeholders to work towards preserving democracy in the state, saying "May wisdom prevail over anger, dialogue over violence, and peace over conflict".

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He added, "Together, let us preserve the sanctity of our democracy and build an Osun State where every citizen can live without fear".