Osun poll passed test of free, fair, credible election — Afenifere

n n

— Congratulates Adeleke, hails Osun voters, commends INEC

n

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

n

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said the just-concluded Osun State governorship election passed the test of a free, fair and credible electoral process.

n

In a statement issued in Akure by its Secretary-General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the group said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had received commendations from across the country and political divides for its conduct of the election.

n

“The Osun State governorship election was an affirmation of the supremacy of the will and power of the people in a democracy, as unequivocally demonstrated by the people of Osun State,” Ebiseni said.

n

He noted that beyond the large voter turnout, which pushed the number of voters in Osun above the one-million mark, the determination of the electorate to ensure that their votes counted was particularly significant.

n

“We are proud of them for keeping aloft a culture of defending their political rights for which the Yoruba people are known, not only in Nigeria but also as firmly established in history long before British colonialism,” he added.

n

Afenifere said the election “passed creditably the test of a free, fair and credible process” and commended INEC for its performance.

n

The group, however, cautioned that “it cannot be uhuru until our country joins the league of nations where the credibility of the electoral process is beyond anxiety each election season, with all eyes and minds on the 2027 general elections.”

n

Afenifere also congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, saying the expectations would be higher as he seeks to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.

n n