Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has urged Muslim voters to reject vote buying, violence and apathy, and participate actively in the poll.

The organisation said voting was a sacred trust, urging eligible voters to choose candidates based on conscience, competence and the wider interest of the state rather than money, fear, tribal sentiment or personal gain.

In a statement issued on Sunday, MPAC’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, called on Muslims across the state’s 30 local government areas to collect their Permanent Voter Cards where necessary, verify their polling units and turn out to vote on August 15.

The group said staying away from the election because of apathy or cynicism could weaken the political voice of the Muslim community.

“Representation follows participation,” MPAC said, arguing that communities that fail to vote, organise and hold elected officials accountable cannot expect adequate representation in government.

The organisation linked its call to its broader advocacy for greater political representation of Muslims in the South-West.

MPAC cited its earlier report, “A Fair Deal or None: MPAC’s Demands to Governorship Candidates in South-West Nigeria on the Treatment of Muslims”, which raised concerns about the representation of Muslims in executive appointments and other areas of public life.

It also noted that none of the six states in the South-West currently has a Muslim governor, despite the region’s significant Muslim population and long history of Islamic scholarship, trade and political participation.

According to the organisation, the situation underscored the need for Muslims to become more involved in electoral politics and demand accountability from political leaders.

MPAC, however, warned voters against exchanging their votes for cash or other inducements, saying short-term payments could not compensate for the consequences of poor governance.

“No sum of money at a polling unit can compensate for four years of bad governance,” the organisation said.

It also urged politicians and their agents to desist from vote buying, financial inducement and other practices capable of undermining voters’ freedom of choice.

The group called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence, thuggery and intimidation of voters, electoral officials and observers.

It further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and civil society organisations involved in election observation to remain professional and impartial, and to protect the right of citizens to vote without fear.

MPAC also appealed to all candidates to accept the outcome of the election in good faith if the process is free and fair.

The organisation called on Muslim clerics, community leaders and mosque committees to use Friday sermons and other community platforms to educate voters on the importance of political participation and the prohibition of vote buying, vote selling and electoral violence.

The August 15 election will determine who governs Osun State for the next four years.

MPAC said it would monitor the conduct of the election and speak out on developments that threaten the rights, security or political participation of Muslims in Osun State and the wider South-West.