The Osun State Government has appealed to political leaders, supporters and residents to embrace peace and reconciliation following the recently concluded governorship election.
The government also urged security agencies to take steps to prevent a fresh breakdown of law and order amid concerns over possible disturbances in parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday.
Alimi said the government was concerned about reports of attempts to trigger fresh confrontations in some local government areas and motor parks.
He said, “The government is particularly disturbed by reports of plans by some stakeholders to ignite fresh rounds of crisis across local government councils and motor parks across the state.”
The commissioner warned that any such plan must be abandoned, stressing that the state needed stability to pursue development.
According to him, the government also sympathised with victims of violence recorded before the election and called for collective efforts to promote healing.
“The state needs peace for development, not violence in politics,” the statement added.
The government maintained that the election had ended and urged political actors to accept the outcome and pursue their differences through lawful and peaceful channels.
It said, “The Osun election has been won and lost. Mr President and Mr Governor had engaged on a peaceful way forward. Any push towards violence represents an affront on the Presidency and the Nigerian Constitution.”
The state government further called on security agencies to uphold the rule of law and address concerns over the detention of political actors and alleged partisan conduct in the management of local governments and motor parks.
It also appealed to politicians and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements or actions capable of worsening tensions.
“We call on all political actors to speak and act peacefully. Osun should be in a period of healing and building. We must not allow a relapse into the pre-election era of killings and violence,” the statement said.
The call followed a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the APC governorship candidate in the election, Bola Oyebamiji, who subsequently advocated peace.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had welcomed Oyebamiji’s appeal, describing it as a positive development after a tense campaign and election period.
The governor urged political stakeholders to put aside differences and work together for the progress of Osun State.
