Ahead of the governorship election in Ondo state, the Coalition of Civil Societies in the state has called on the major political parties and stakeholders to curb political violence in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The Chairman of the coalition, Mr Franklin Oloniju who made this plea while on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura in Akure, Ondo state capital, called on all political parties and politicians to be orderly before, during and after the governorship election in the state.

He stressed the need for politicians and political parties to guide their utterances and actions in order not to set the polity on fire, urging all the leaders of the political parties and the politicians to comport themselves well during their campaigns before the election.

Oloniju called for stiffer measures that will ensure that integrity of the process and outcome of the forthcoming primary elections and governorship election is not compromised.

He also charged security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure the safety of the electorate during the election.

It, however, appreciated the giant strides of m Akeredolu in the area of infrastructure and said “the development is not limited to infrastructure alone but every sector including health, education, security, among others, have been positively touched,”

While responding, Senator Alasoadura appreciates the leadership of the coalition for the visit, emphasising that political campaigns are supposed to be a competition of ideas and policies between different parties, but noted that this many a time, result in political violence and pandemonium.

He noted that many lives had been lost in the past due to electoral violence and advised politicians to embrace and eschew politics without bitterness.

He called on the civil society groups to create a synergy with the major political actors in order to educate them to play the game by the rules.

He advised politicians to ensure peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election while he urged voters to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid any harassment by the security officers.