Candidates of the 14 political parties participating in the August 15 Osun State governorship election on Thursday signed a peace accord, pledging to ensure a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.
At the ceremony, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, personally signed the peace agreement, while representatives signed on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), Cardinal John Onaiyekan described the accord as another milestone in the committee’s efforts to promote peaceful political engagement and prevent election-related violence.
He said democracy can only thrive when political competition is guided by peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law, urging candidates and their supporters to conduct the remainder of their campaigns responsibly.
“In the name of the National Peace Committee, I am making my special appeal to all the political party members here present to abide by the spirit and the letter of the accord that you will now sign. This signing of the accord is not just a formality or a ritual; it is supposed to mean something serious, that we take this matter seriously,” Onaiyekan said.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and faithfully discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
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“We assure you of our confidence that you will do a good job and ensure that the election process is conducted according to the rules and electoral laws, faithfully and without partiality,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the signing of the peace accord demonstrated the candidates’ commitment to non-violence and democratic principles.
“By signing the Peace Accord, we are not only affirming our dedication to non-violence and mutual respect, but we are also sending a powerful, unambiguous message to our citizens that democracy thrives when peace prevails,” he said.
Amupitan warned that anyone involved in vote-buying, violence or any act capable of disrupting the election would face the full weight of the law.
“We will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force. Insecurity is a direct assault on the sanctity of the ballot,” he stated.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had completed 11 of the 13 activities on its election timetable, with only the conclusion of campaigns on August 13 and election day remaining.
He said the commission would deploy personnel across the state’s 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office, covering 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units.
According to him, the certified voters’ register contains 2,339,233 eligible voters after the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) verification exercise, while 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had been collected.
Amupitan also announced that PVC collection at all local government offices had been extended until Friday, July 31, to enable more eligible voters to obtain their cards.
Expressing concern over reports of political violence in some parts of the state, he said INEC had strengthened collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), with intelligence-led operations to secure polling units and collation centres.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Akinyele Fasuba, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place before, during and after the election.
“Police have adequate security on the ground to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent election in Osun State before, during and after the election.
“The IGP said people should not entertain any fear. Policemen have started arriving in Osun State from all over Nigeria. The police will remain neutral, and no one should accuse us of siding with any political party,” Fasuba said.
Governor Adeleke, however, alleged that members of his party had been subjected to harassment by the police and appealed for professionalism throughout the election period.
“We call on the police authorities to emulate other security agencies which have been very professional.
“Police must be impartial like other security agencies. We seek free and fair polls where the people’s will should be supreme. Our people will severely resist rigging in all forms.
“Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission and the supremacy of the voters’ will at the polls,” the governor said.
Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended INEC for maintaining its independence and urged all political actors to reject violence.
“Osun State is greater than the interests of any individual or political party,” the monarch said.
