IPAC

Author: Gist Correspondent

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday.

National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, made the call on Monday in Abuja after the council’s General Assembly meeting, expressing concern over rising political tension ahead of the poll.

Dantalle urged political parties and candidates to moderate their rhetoric and avoid actions capable of escalating tension or threatening peace in the state.

He said the election should be based on competing ideas, policies and programmes, stressing that no individual or institution should seek to override the will of the electorate.

IPAC called on INEC to conduct the election professionally, independently and transparently, while complying fully with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, its guidelines and the approved timetable.

Dantalle also urged the commission to ensure equal treatment of all candidates and political parties, transparent accreditation and voting, timely distribution of election materials, prompt handling of complaints and accurate collation of results.

On security, he called on personnel deployed for the election to remain neutral and operate within their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

He said security agencies must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination, warning against the use of security personnel to intimidate voters or suppress legitimate political activities.

Meanwhile, Dantalle criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s reported freezing of Osun State Government accounts, describing the action as politically motivated and warning that it could undermine the administration of the state.