OSOGBO, Osun State — Political leaders, security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders have called on all contestants and supporters in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election to embrace peace and reject every form of violence before, during, and after the poll.
Speaking during the signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the August 15 governorship election, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan welcomed the Governor of Osun State, political party candidates, traditional rulers, security chiefs, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, members of the National Peace Committee, and other dignitaries to the event.
He commended all political parties and their candidates for participating in the Peace Accord, describing it as a significant commitment to peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections.
He also expressed appreciation to the military, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for their efforts in ensuring adequate security throughout the electoral process. He equally praised INEC for its preparations and expressed confidence in the Commission’s ability to conduct a transparent and credible election.
He reminded all stakeholders that political power belongs to the people and that leadership should be determined solely through the ballot box.
“I appeal to every citizen and every political stakeholder to avoid violence, hate speech, intimidation, and any act capable of disrupting the electoral process,” he said.
According to him, although political competition may generate tension, all stakeholders must exercise restraint and continue to promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that “elections will come and go, but our relationships must remain.”
The Cardinal paid tribute to the state’s traditional rulers, acknowledging their wisdom and continued role in promoting peace and stability across communities.
He noted that no political ambition is worth the loss of human lives and appealed to citizens to conduct themselves peacefully by voting without fear or intimidation while respecting the outcome of the election.
“There is no reason for violence. No political ambition is worth the loss of a single life,” he said.
Other speakers included the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, who assured that the commission was fully ready and promised that INEC officials would be at polling units as early as 8am. He said the recent incident where PVCs were carted away by hoodlums would not affect the election, adding that the commission would provide affected voters with new voter cards having disabled the stolen ones. Where reprints cannot be immediately obtained, he said INEC would deploy a first-of-its-kind technology for electronic accreditation.
He expressed the commission’s “absolute zero tolerance for vote buying.”
The Representative of the Inspector General of Police, AIG Fasuba Olayemi, conveyed the IGP’s assurance that the Osun election would be the best in the history of the country, citing the recently concluded Ekiti election. He said the police, as the lead security agency, would be neutral and ensure adequate security.
Project Manager of the National Peace Committee, Bar. Asabe Ndayi, presented emerging issues, threat analysis and flashpoints.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, also urged passionately for peace, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of Osun State which he described as the cradle of Yoruba tradition. General Martin Luther Agwai represented the Convener, General Abdusalam Abubakar, and delivered the vote of thanks.
Candidates of various parties and peace stakeholders signed the accord and shook hands and hugged each other.
In a contrasting address, Governor Ademola Adeleke appealed to the Abdulsallam-led National Peace Committee to save Osun State from what he described as impending police-induced violence ahead of the election.
Addressing the forum chaired by General Agwai in the company of Bishop Kukah and Cardinal Onaiyekan, the governor raised alarm about what he called a systematic plot to kill, maim and incarcerate Osun Accord leaders through an alleged alliance between Osun APC thugs and the state police command.
Echoing warnings against political violence, Governor Adeleke said, “Our gathering is to endorse peace but my government and people are facing police sanctioned violence and intimidation. War is being waged actively against my people by Osun APC openly supported by the Osun state police Command.”
“In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest till date. The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs with crimes committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet,” he said.
The governor added that more than 60 Accord leaders have been arrested and moved to Abuja and Nasarawa State prisons.
“Under which law can a state police commissioner take instructions from Mr Gboyega Oyetola to arrest Accord Party members in Osun State and move them to Abuja and be held in prisons without any charge? Why Abuja? We have both the Federal High Court and State high courts in Osun State, where anyone can be arraigned,” he asked.
“I ask the Peace Committee to prevail upon the Inspector General of Police to return everyone in police custody. Those remanded in prisons should be returned to Osun State, and be charged to Courts in Osun State, if the police can show that they have committed any crime,” he said.
“There is an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after Osun elections. Our dear peace leaders, there is a active progression towards genocide in Osun state,” the governor said.
“We seek that you interface with Mr President to stop the Marine Minister, Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun APC and the Osun Police Commissioner from unleashing further violence on Osun people,” he added.
The governor commended Accord members and Osun people for not retaliating. “This is not out of weakness but due to our firm belief in rule of law. Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission and supremacy of voters’ will at the polls,” he told stakeholders.
The Peace Accord signing brought together political parties, candidates, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, all of whom pledged commitment to ensuring a peaceful and violence-free governorship election in Osun State.
