With days to the Osun State governorship election, the President of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid Abdulrauf, has urged residents to reject political apathy and turn out in large numbers to elect leaders capable of delivering good governance.

Abdulrauf, in a statement on Tuesday, particularly urged young people, low-income earners and residents of disadvantaged communities to use their voter cards and participate in Saturday’s election.

He warned that frustration with the political system should not discourage citizens from exercising their right to vote, saying staying away from the polls would amount to surrendering their power to those who turn out.

The NASFAT president said citizens’ participation remained important to issues such as education, justice, civil rights and development, stressing that political change could not be achieved if voters withdrew from the electoral process.

He also raised concerns about barriers that could discourage some citizens from voting, particularly people with limited financial resources and those who may find it difficult to leave their businesses or workplaces to participate in the election.

According to him, such challenges could deepen existing inequalities and leave vulnerable groups with less influence over decisions that affect their lives.

“The stark, simple truth is this: The right to vote is threatened in Nigeria today in a way that it has not been since the beginning of democratic government in Osun State,” he said.

Abdulrauf urged voters dissatisfied with political leadership to channel their frustration into the ballot box rather than abandoning the electoral process.

“Don’t boo. Vote,” he said, arguing that anger and public criticism of political leaders would have little effect without corresponding participation at the polls.

He said political interests could benefit when disadvantaged communities became disillusioned with elections and chose not to vote, urging young people and poorer residents not to allow such apathy to determine the future of the state.

“The future will be decided by those who show up,” he said.

The NASFAT president also called on political parties and their candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other actors involved in the election to ensure that Saturday’s exercise was peaceful and credible.

He urged the parties to avoid actions that could undermine the process and called on security agencies to provide an environment in which residents could vote without intimidation.

“Enough is enough. Let the poor voices be heard and let their votes count,” Abdulrauf said.

He appealed to Osun residents to participate peacefully and responsibly, saying the election offered them an opportunity to influence the direction of governance in the state.

Abdulrauf expressed hope that the candidate chosen by the electorate would prioritise the welfare of residents and deliver meaningful development across the state.

He also prayed that Allah would grant the people of Osun State a leader who would provide good governance and deliver impactful development to the state.