Stakeholders at a workshop organised by the United Nations Programme (UNDP) in Ibadan have called on political parties to shun abusive language and hate speeches before, during and after the Sept. 22. governorship election.
The forum was organised for traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders and civil society organisations on a peaceful election in Osun.
The stakeholders in a communique issued at the end of the workshop appealed to political parties to desist from making inflammatory comments that could promote electoral violence in the state.
The communique, which was signed by Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, the Olufi of Gbongan in Osun, also appealed to political parties to display the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting election results in good faith.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections that would be free, fair and generally acceptable to the people.
The communique further urged INEC, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the media to intensify its campaign on voter education to discourage vote buying.
It also appealed to security agencies to provide adequate security before, during and after the election.
The communique appealed to the youths not to risk their lives over the ambition of any politician during the election.
The participants commended the UNDP and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for organising the stakeholders’ dialogue for a peaceful election in the state. (NAN)
