Osun Poll: Civil Society Groups Convene Citizens' Town Hall Ahead of Governorship Election

-


With 21 days to the Osun State governorship election, a coalition of civil society organisations has scheduled a Citizens' Town Hall to promote electoral integrity and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The event, organised by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity, will hold on Sunday, July 26, in Osogbo, bringing together electoral officials, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, persons with disabilities, media practitioners and other stakeholders.

The network comprises the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, the International Press Centre (IPC), the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) and YIAGA Africa.


According to the organisers in a statement signed by the IPC's Communications Officer, Olutoyin Ayoade, the non-partisan town hall is designed to provide a platform for citizens to engage directly with key institutions responsible for the conduct and security of the August 15 governorship election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Olutoyin Babalola, and the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, are expected to lead discussions on election preparedness and security, while representatives of women, persons with disabilities, traditional rulers and faith-based organisations will also participate.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said the initiative aims to deepen electoral integrity through informed citizen participation, institutional transparency and sustained stakeholder engagement.

Co-Chair of the Planning Committee, Lanre Arogundade, noted that the quality of elections depends not only on institutional readiness but also on meaningful citizen engagement, adding that the town hall would serve as an accountability platform between the public and electoral stakeholders.

The programme, scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Adolak Event Hall in Osogbo, will be broadcast live on television, radio and digital platforms to enable wider public participation.

The organisers said the Osun Town Hall builds on similar engagements previously held ahead of elections in other parts of the country as part of efforts to promote peaceful, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UNILAG Alumni Association to Mark 55th Anniversary with Awards, Fundraising for Education Support

-
Image
The University of Lagos Alumni Association has unveiled plans for its 55th Anniversary Awards and Recognition Dinner, scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Speaking at a news briefing in Akoka, President of the Association, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said the event will celebrate distinguished alumni while raising funds to strengthen education at the institution.  Proceeds, he noted, will support scholarships for indigent students, provide research and teaching equipment, and fund a new 1,800-bed hostel project. Vice President Kashim Shettima will be the Special Guest of Honour, while eminent physician, Olorogun Dr. Sonny Kuku, will chair the occasion. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, will also be in attendance alongside top dignitaries. The Association will present awards in three categories. The Alumni Platinum Award will be conferred on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria; Chief Wole Olanipe...
Read more

CAPPA Backs FG’s Health Tax Policy, Seeks Higher Levy on Sugary Drinks

-
Image
  The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s plan to channel excise-tax revenues from alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) into health financing, but urged authorities to raise the levy on sugary drinks to make it more effective. At a national health-financing dialogue in Abuja, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that a draft policy is being finalised to earmark revenues from “sin taxes” for healthcare.  The proposal will soon be submitted to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Responding in a statement issued by its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe on Monday, CAPPA said the move marks a decisive step towards addressing Nigeria’s public health crisis, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease now accounting for nearly 30 per cent of deaths nationwide. Executive Director of CA...
Read more

World Food Day: CAPPA Warns Against Corporate Capture of Nigeria’s Food System

-
Image
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Food Day 2025, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised concern over the growing dominance of ultra-processed foods in the country’s food system, warning that weak regulation and unchecked corporate influence are endangering public health. In a statement signed by CAPPA’s Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, and released in Lagos on Thursday, the group said the government must urgently strengthen laws that protect citizens from deceptive marketing and unhealthy food products. The statement quoted Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, as saying that multinational food and beverage companies are expanding their reach through aggressive advertising and sponsorships that target children, young people, and low-income communities. “Corporations are flooding our markets with ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, using deceptive marketing to present them as healthy, modern, ...
Read more