Candidates representing the 14 political parties contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election on Thursday signed a peace accord, pledging to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The Punch reported that at the ceremony, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, personally signed the agreement. Representatives signed on behalf of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), John Cardinal Onaiyekan described the accord as another significant step in the committee’s continued efforts to strengthen dialogue, build trust among political actors and prevent electoral violence.
Onaiyekan stressed that democracy can only thrive where political competition is conducted with restraint, respect for the rule of law and commitment to peaceful engagement, urging all parties to sustain civility throughout the remaining period of the campaign.
He said, “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.
“We must also add that apart from the political parties who will be involved in the election, the peaceful outcome of the election process also depends a lot on two other groups of agents.
“First, the INEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, whose national chairman is here. And in the name of the Peace Committee, I greet you. I congratulate you.
“I assure you of our confidence in you that you will do a good job and actually make sure that the election process is done according to the rules and the electoral laws, faithfully, without partiality. And it is because of that that you will also be party to the signature.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the signing of the accord reflected the candidates’ commitment to peaceful conduct and respect for democratic values.
He said, “By signing the Peace Accord, we are not only affirming 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.”
Amupitan urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to honour both the spirit and provisions of the agreement, warning that anyone involved in election violence or vote buying would face prosecution.
According to him, INEC has successfully completed 11 of the 13 activities outlined in its election timetable, leaving only the conclusion of campaigns on August 13 and the governorship election on August 15.
“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 said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that officials would be deployed across the state’s 30 local government areas, the Modakeke Area Office, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units.
He also revealed that the certified voters’ register contains 2,339,233 eligible voters following the Automated Biometric Identification System exercise, while 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, representing 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had already been collected.
Amupitan added that PVC collection at all local government offices had been extended until Friday, July 31, to enable more registered voters obtain their cards.
Expressing concern over reported incidents of violence and threats in some parts of the state, he said the commission had adopted proactive security measures through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He explained that intelligence-driven security operations would be deployed to polling units and collation centres in partnership with the police and the Armed Forces.
“Any attempt to disrupt the election will be met with the full weight of the law,” he warned.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Osogbo, Akinyele Fasuba, assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place before, during and after the election.
He said, “Police have adequate security on the ground to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent election in Osun State, during, before and after the election.
“The same template used in Ekiti in June 20 that Ekiti people applauded, the same thing will happen in Osun State.
“The IGP said people should not entertain any fear. Policemen have started arriving in Osun State from all over Nigeria.
“And being the leading organisation in internal security, police will be neutral. IGP said I should assure you that we will be neutral. No way that police will be accused of siding one party or the other,” Fasuba said.
Governor Adeleke, while addressing participants at the event, alleged that members of his party had been subjected to harassment by the police and called for an election that would reflect the genuine will of the electorate.
He said, “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 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 supremacy of voters’ will at the polls.”
Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised INEC for maintaining its independence and appealed to politicians to shun violence throughout the electoral process.
“Osun State is greater than the interests of any individual or political party,” the monarch said.
