The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Olubadan-in-Council, a Chief Imam, Abdulhazeem Adebayo Afuye, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and others, on Wednesday, warned politicians and voters against fomenting violence ahead of the Saturday, August 16, bye-election in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr Adeniran Tella; the Director of NOA in Oyo State, Mrs Ajolayo Akande; a Chief Imam, Afuye, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, who represented the Olubadan-in-Council; security agencies; and others, issued the warning during a media briefing ahead of the Ibadan North Federal Constituency election.

The election became necessary to fill the vacant position caused by the death of the previous occupant, Hon Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi. Akinremi died last year at the age of 51.

Tella, Akande, Akinade, Afuye, and others emphasised that elections are not a do-or-die affair, urging politicians, voters, and other stakeholders to eschew violence.

In his remarks, Akande urged everyone to play their part in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the poll.

On his part, the Chief Imam, Afuye, called on all to shun violence and act with reverence for God.

He said: ”We must give peace a chance. We will all give an account for whatever we do. We must have the fear of God. Politicians and their supporters must show the fear of God.”

On her part, the NOA State Director said: ”Election is not a do-or-die affair.”

There was a peace accord among five participating candidates before the media briefing. Five political parties participated in the accord, which was attended by security chiefs and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the accord, the REC said: ”You all witnessed the official signing of the ‘Peace Accord’ by these political party flag-bearers and their parties participating in the upcoming Bye-election on Saturday. The essence of which is to foster a conducive environment for voters to exercise their rights, ultimately contributing to the legitimacy and credibility of the electoral process. The commission had constant engagements with the members of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), with the Commissioner of Police as the lead Security Agency in this regard. Assurances have been made to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property of the electorate before, during, and after the conduct of the upcoming election.”

He also spoke about the Saturday poll: There will be restrictions on movement (except for voters and poll officials) in the affected areas within Ibadan North Federal Constituency, beginning from 12:00 midnight. The affected Border Areas are: Sango/Elevele/Apete/Ijikodo Li Ij/Agbowo/Agborwo Express/Beere/Ojo/Odoye Gate/Basorun/Ashi Mokola Axis/Adamasigba Axis.

”There will also be restriction on movement in Twelve (12) Registration Areas/Wards in Ibadan North Federal Constituency which are; Ward I (Islamic Mission Primary School, Odoye) Ward II (St Stephen Primary School, Ikolaba), Ward III (Education Army Primary School Yemetu), Ward IV (Methodist Primary School, Ifo), Ward V (Ikolaba High School, Ikolaba), Ward VI (St Gabriel Grammar School, Mokola), Ward VII(St Louis Grammar School, Mokola), Ward VIII (Ikolaba High School, Ijokodo), Ward IX C&S New Eden Primary School, Mokola), Ward X (Emmanuel College Primary School, Samonda) and Ward XII which is (Methodist Primary School, Bodija) respectively.

”There are 512 Polling Units with 272,196 registered voters expected to participate in the upcoming Bye-Election. However, about 217,980 have so far collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). A total of 2,062 Poll Officials will be employed for the coming election. Please note that the collection of PVCs for the upcoming Bye-Election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency will not be possible until the resumption of the CVR exercise. The implication is that only those with their PVCs will be eligible to participate in the upcoming Bye-Election. The Electorate should therefore come out en masse to exercise their franchise between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm on the day of the election.”

Tella added that the commission had configured a total number of 526 Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) Machines, with additional back-ups of 48 BVAS Machines for the upcoming election. All these are expected to be activated on the day of the election.