The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong warning to politicians, electoral officials and security agencies ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, declaring that there must be “no shortcuts” in the conduct of the poll.

The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, who led a high-powered delegation to Osun State, said the election must be free, fair, credible, peaceful and reflective of the genuine wishes of the people.

Osigwe made the position known during a series of engagements with critical stakeholders in the state, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, and senior police officers responsible for election security.

During the visit to the INEC office, the NBA President congratulated Babalola on her appointment as the first female REC in Osun State, urging her to uphold the integrity of the legal profession by discharging her constitutional responsibilities with courage, impartiality and integrity.

Responding, Babalola assured the NBA delegation that INEC was fully prepared for the August 15 election.

She disclosed that extensive training had been conducted for election personnel to minimise human errors and strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.

On the security situation in the state, the REC said recent disturbances in some areas were largely linked to cult-related clashes rather than politically motivated violence.

She also said INEC had intensified voter education and stakeholder engagement, including outreach to students and other groups, to encourage peaceful participation.

Babalola further assured voters that “every single vote will count.”

The NBA delegation also met with senior police officers overseeing security for the election, including Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Mohammed Ishaku.

Ishaku said the Nigeria Police Force had commenced massive deployment of personnel across Osun State, with additional officers expected to arrive before election day.

According to him, the security arrangements were designed to provide adequate coverage and ensure that voters can exercise their franchise without intimidation or violence.

But the NBA President was unequivocal in his message to political actors.

He urged electoral officials, security agencies, politicians and public office holders to remain neutral and warned them against using their offices, influence or institutional powers to favour any candidate or political party.

He said the only acceptable outcome was one that reflected the freely expressed will of the people of Osun State.

Osigwe also appealed to politicians to put the interest of the state above their partisan ambitions, warning that the state must not be allowed to descend into violence because of an election.

“Osun must not be allowed to go up in flames,” he said, stressing that no political ambition was worth the loss of a single life.

He called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice, noting that democracy could only survive where there was respect for the rule of law, justice and peaceful political competition.

At a press conference held at the NBA Osogbo Bar Centre, attended by chairmen and secretaries of NBA branches across the state, Osigwe also addressed lawyers participating in the election as observers.

He charged them to remain professional, courageous and impartial while documenting events and defending democratic principles.

He, however, urged the observers to take necessary precautions to protect themselves during the exercise.

The NBA’s intervention comes at a critical moment as Osun prepares for the August 15 governorship election, with political parties intensifying their final campaigns and stakeholders expressing concerns over the possibility of violence and electoral malpractice.

With the stakes high, the NBA has made its position clear: political power must not come at the expense of peace, the rule of law or the people’s mandate.

The association said it remained committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process and expressed optimism that Saturday’s election would be peaceful, credible and a true reflection of the sovereign will of the people of Osun State.