Key foreign missions in Nigeria have indicated interest in the Osun gubernatorial election, just as INEC prepares for the rerun election that would conclude the exercise on Thursday, September 27.
In a joint statement shared by the information unit of the US Embassy, the missions of European Union and the United Kingdom, commended the Osun state governorship election which was held on Saturday, while calling for greater peace and orderly conduct during the rerun which has been rescheduled for Thursday.
The three missions who were united in calling for calm and orderliness, and end to vote buying, said: “We urge that all continue to support a peaceful , free, fair, and credible completion of the process as INEC re-runs the election in seven polling units where – through no fault of their own – voters were not able to cast their votes and have them counted last Saturday.
“We stress the importance that the re-run should take place without any violence, intimidation, or vote buying.”
Read the full statement below:
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“Statement from the Missions of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States on Osun Election
The Missions of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States observed the voting in Osun State September 22. We commend the people of Osun for voting peacefully, the Independent National Electoral Commission for the improved organisation of the election, and security services for their conduct.
We urge that all continue to support a peaceful, free, fair, and credible completion of the process as INEC re-runs the election in seven polling units where — through no fault of their own — voters were not able to cast their votes and have them counted last Saturday. We stress the importance that the re-run should take place without any violence, intimidation, or vote buying.
Whoever wins the election after Thursday’s vote should be magnanimous in victory, and whoever loses should be gracious in defeat.”
