…Seeks Free, Fair Election
BEVERLY HILLS, August 01, (THEWILL) –Â The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government not to engage the military in providing security during the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.
The National President of NANS, Yinka Gbadebo, made the call at a media briefing on Friday.
While calling on all students domiciling in the state to troop out on August 9 and vote for any candidate of their choice having in mind that the exercise has implications for the future well-being of the people, NANS said the exercise should be approached with all the seriousness it deserves.
“We urge you to vote rightly! Vote for character! Vote your best personality! Vote for integrity! Vote for tradition! Cast your vote for virtue! Use your vote to uphold the sanctity of the ballot box! Vote for competence. Reject acts that work to make students gangsters,” Gbadebo urged the students.
He restated the stand of the association on the election, saying it should be free, fair and creditably conducted. “We say to no rigging, violence, intimidation, harassment and disenfranchisement of eligible voters,” he added.
According to Gbadebo,
“While we support the move of the Federal Government to mobilise security men to all the nooks and crannies of Osun in order to ensure that the election is free and fair, we wish to state without any fear or. favour that the security situation in Osun State, as we speak, does not warrant mobilising the men of the Nigerian Army for election purposes instead of its constitutional role of maintaining and securing the country from any form of external aggression.”
He maintained that ” Election is a civil matter, and our position is that it should be treated by people with civil minds.”
He however warned that
“We shall ensure that the electoral brouhaha that led to the collapse of first, second and third Republics is avoided in Nigeria starting from Osun State Governorship Election.”
He also urged Nigerian Students of Osun State origin to vote for the candidate that values education, saying “Education is a right and not a privilege.”
Gbadebo said: ” We implore you to vote for the candidate who will truthfully give you access to quality and affordable education! We beg of you not to sell your vote.”
