Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged residents not to panic over the presence of security personnel ahead of the state’s forthcoming election.
Mr Adeleke said the deployment of military and police personnel should not be interpreted as a cause for alarm, urging residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities.
The governor, who spoke amid heightened attention to security arrangements surrounding the election, assured residents that the presence of security agencies was intended to maintain peace and protect voters and other citizens.
“Don’t panic over military and police presence,” Mr Adeleke told residents, appealing to them to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral process.
He urged security agencies to operate professionally and ensure that voters are allowed to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation or unnecessary restrictions.
The governor also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the rule of law before, during and after the election.
Security presence is often increased during elections in Nigeria to prevent violence, ballot-box snatching and other forms of electoral malpractice.
Mr Adeleke’s appeal comes as political activities intensify in Osun, with attention increasingly focused on the conduct of a peaceful and credible election.
