Osun Citizens Must Be Allowed To Vote Right On Saturday, Says NASFAT President AbdulRauf
NASFAT President, Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid AbdulRauf, has called on disadvantaged communities—particularly low-income citizens, youth, and communities of tribes— to come out and vote massively in the coming Osun State gubernatorial election of Saturday, 15th August and resist political cynicism.
“The community facing systemic disadvantages should ensure they do justice with their voter cards,” he said.
Abdulrauf issued what he termed an urgent plea to activate voters ahead of the Osun election in a statement he circulated to media houses today Tuesday.
He said, “I will consider it a personal insult, an insult to human legacy, if this community lets down its guard and fails to activate itself in this election.”
He argued that while his name was not on the ballot, progress regarding justice, education, civil rights, and ending mass incarceration was entirely dependent on the citizens’ turning out to exercise their franchise.
“Your voting rights must be exercised,” he said.
The NASFAT President frowned on institutional barriers targeting poor voters, and fiercely condemned what he described as the state-level voter suppression tactics of political parties.
He said, “The stark, simple truth is this: The right to vote is threatened in Nigeria today in a way that it has not been since the beginning of democratic government in Osun State.”
AbdulRauf detailed how rigid identity checks and the elimination of manual voting windows disproportionately shut out low-income people and working-class citizens who could not easily leave their jobs and places of business to vote.
The NASFAT President specifically highlighted how the modern technological and economic landscape exacerbated inequality, leaving vulnerable populations feeling isolated.
He said: “Giving up or giving in to cynicism and division would represent a betrayal of founding ideals.”
The NASFAT leader acknowledged that diverse and disadvantaged communities often felt frustrated by an inefficient democracy.
However, he warned that losing faith in the power of the people’s collective voice completely relinquished control of the society to uncaring and ruthless leaders.
“Don’t boo! Vote!” he said, a recurring refrain he said he used to tell frustrated crowds that anger or vocal protests were meaningless if they were not backed up by real ballot-box power.
He argued that powerful political interests intentionally counted on disadvantaged people abandoning the system, thus enabling the inefficient in power to retain control.
“The future will be decided by those who show up,” he said: “Majority and young voters should not let older, wealthier people to continue to monopolise power.
“Enough is enough. Let the poor voices be heard and let their votes count!
“All the political parties, the candidates, the INEC, the security agencies and other actors should give space to peace in whatever they do on Saturday to give Osun State people a new breath of good governance for the impactful dividends of democracy.
“Almighty Allah, who giveth power to whom He wants, will surely do same for the people of Osun State. The best candidate that will be beneficial to the citizens and residents of Osun State for good governance and impactful developmental projects shall carry the day. Amin.”
