NASFAT President: Osun Voters Must Use Their Ballots to Shape State’s Future

Abdulrauf says low-income citizens and young voters cannot afford to withdraw from the electoral process, as he asks parties, INEC and security agencies to protect Saturday’s poll

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The President of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid Abdulrauf, has said citizens’ participation will be crucial to Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, particularly among young people, low-income citizens and disadvantaged communities.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Abdulrauf said political frustration should not translate into withdrawal from the electoral process, urging eligible voters to use their voter cards and make their voices count.

“I will consider it a personal insult, an insult to humanity legacy, if this community lets down its guard and fails to activate itself in this election,” he said.

Abdulrauf said citizens who felt excluded or frustrated by the political system should not surrender their influence by staying away from the polls, arguing that the ballot remained one of the most direct ways through which people could determine the direction of government.

“Giving up or giving in to cynicism and division… would represent a betrayal of founding ideas,” he said.

He said disengagement could leave decisions about the future of the state to a smaller section of the electorate, particularly at a time when young and economically disadvantaged citizens were seeking a greater voice in governance.

“Don’t boo. Vote,” he said, using the phrase to underscore his argument that dissatisfaction with political leadership should be expressed through participation rather than withdrawal.

The NASFAT president also appealed to political parties and candidates to put the interests of Osun State ahead of partisan tensions, while asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders to provide a peaceful environment for the election.

“All political parties, candidates, the INEC, the security agencies and other actors should give peace space in their do’s and undo’s on Saturday,” he said.

Abdulrauf said a peaceful election would give the people of Osun State the opportunity to choose the leadership they believe can deliver good governance and meaningful development.

The governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, when voters across the state will choose the next governor.

Abdulrauf ended his statement with a prayer that Allah would guide the people of Osun State towards choosing a candidate who would serve their interests and deliver good governance and impactful development.

With voting day approaching, his message puts the emphasis on both sides of the electoral process: citizens turning up to exercise their franchise and political and state institutions ensuring that they can do so peacefully. For Osun voters, Saturday will provide the opportunity to turn that participation into a decision about the state’s next chapter.

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