A senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Nathaniel Oduyemi, has condemned what he described as acts of pre-election violence and thuggery in Osun State, calling on security agencies to take swift action to safeguard the electoral process.

In a statement, Oduyemi expressed concern over reports of politically motivated violence ahead of forthcoming elections in the state, warning that such incidents could undermine public confidence in the democratic process if left unchecked.

He urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged incidents, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

According to the NDC aspirant, elections should be decided through the ballot box rather than intimidation or violence. He stressed that every eligible voter and political stakeholder should be able to participate in the electoral process without fear of harassment or attack.

Oduyemi also appealed to political parties, their supporters and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions. He said political differences should be resolved through lawful and democratic means.

He further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to work closely to ensure a credible, transparent and peaceful electoral process across Osun State.

The senatorial hopeful maintained that preserving peace before, during and after the elections remains a shared responsibility, urging residents to reject violence and cooperate with security authorities by reporting suspicious activities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had not publicly responded to Oduyemi’s allegations, and there was no official confirmation of the specific incidents cited in his statement.