Pyrates Confraternity demands credible, peaceful Osun polls

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has demanded a peaceful Osun State governorship election, calling on President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties to ensure a credible process.

In a statement titled, “The Votes Must Count in Osun Governorship Election,” the NAS Cap’n, Dr Charles Meribole, urged President Tinubu to resist any temptation to manipulate the election in favour of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).Dr Meribole implored the President to act as a true statesman by providing a level playing field so the electorate can exercise their franchise freely, without intimidation or harassment.”

We call on President Bola Tinubu to act as a true Commander-in-Chief by ensuring a level playing field for all candidates in Saturday’s governorship election. He bears the greatest responsibility to protect the electorate in Osun and dismantle any notion of deploying ‘Federal Might’ to suppress the will of the people,” the statement read.

Criticising the level of pre-election violence, Dr Meribole warned that the weaponisation of state institutions, harassment of political opponents, voter intimidation, and financial inducement undermine democracy and risk breeding anarchy.

The group emphasized that democracy cannot thrive under institutional abuse or voter inducement but can only survive when citizens are allowed to vote freely.Turning to the electoral body, Dr Meribole urged INEC to use the Osun election to restore public confidence in its ability to conduct credible polls.

“NEC cannot afford to fumble. To honour its commitment to the electorate, the Commission must execute every stage of the process flawlessly, from logistics and material deployment to maintaining the absolute integrity of its officials and the final declaration of results. INEC must demonstrate its independence by ensuring every vote cast at polling units is accurately recorded and protected, preventing past irregularities such as result alterations and the suspicious disappearance of officials or result sheets,” he stated.

Furthermore, Dr Meribole implored security agencies to remain apolitical and avoid over-militarising the state, which risks scaring voters away. He stressed that security forces owe their allegiance to the Constitution of Nigeria rather than to any politician or political party, adding that all troublemakers, regardless of their status, must be held accountable.

Finally, the group urged political actors to take responsibility for their supporters by prioritising peace over personal ambition, while calling on the electorate to remain peaceful and avoid violence before, during, and after the election. “Osun State has seen enough bloodshed,” Dr Meribole concluded. “The cycle of election-related violence must end. The people deserve a free and fair process, and their votes must count.”