Osun Gubernatorial Candidates, Parties Sign Peace Accord Ahead August 15, INEC Assures Free and Credible Election
Ahead of the August 15 Governorship election scheduled to hold in Osun, Gubernatorial Candidates, Political parties and key stakeholders have signed a Peace Accord in the interest of the state.
The ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee, NPC and held on Thursday, at the Oasis Event Centre, Osogbo, attracted major stakeholders in the state.
The Peace Accord is aimed at ensuring a free, fair, credible, and violence-free election in the state. It commits all political actors to peaceful conduct before, during, and after the poll, and to accept the outcome as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, provided due process is followed.
The event brought together governorship candidates of registered political parties, party chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners.
In his address, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) assured Osun residents of a credible and peaceful governorship election on August 15, warning that anyone involved in vote buying, electoral violence or attempts to disrupt the poll will face the full weight of the law.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) gave the assurance on Thursday at the signing of the Osun State Peace Accord in Osogbo, where political parties contesting the election pledged to conduct peaceful campaigns and abide by the outcome of the poll
According to him, seven out of the nine scheduled electoral activities had already been completed, while the remaining milestones include the conclusion of campaigns on August 13 and the governorship election on August 15.
Amupitan disclosed that over 2.3 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election, adding that the commission had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until July 31 to improve voter participation.
Addressing concerns over insecurity, the INEC chairman said the commission had adopted a proactive security strategy through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), with intelligence-led deployments to identified flashpoints across the state.
Speaking at the signing ceremony,Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who represented the committee’s chairman, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), said the accord was more than a ceremonial exercise, stressing that it was a solemn commitment to peaceful conduct.
Onaiyekan appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct campaigns responsibly, respect the rule of law, and accept the outcome of the election in the spirit of democracy.
“Elections will come and go. In every election, somebody will win while others will lose. Life will continue. Therefore, all political actors must abide by both the spirit and the letter of this Peace Accord,” he said.
He also charged INEC and security agencies to remain impartial, noting that credible elections depend not only on political parties but also on the professionalism of election administrators and security personnel.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Akinyele Fasuba assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election across Osun State.
He said security agencies would remain neutral while maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election.
Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, appealed to politicians and their supporters to avoid violence, vote buying, and inflammatory rhetoric.
The monarch reminded the electorate that political alliances often change after elections, while ordinary citizens bear the consequences of electoral violence.
“Power belongs to the people. Go out peacefully, vote according to your conscience, and return home peacefully. Do not allow anyone to buy your conscience or lure you into violence,” the Ooni urged.
The event concluded with candidates and representatives of the political parties signing the Peace Accord, pledging to conduct issue-based campaigns and respect the outcome of the election.
Commitments Made, and Signatories to the peace accord pledged to:
1. Conduct peaceful campaigns devoid of incitement and thuggery
2. Urge supporters to maintain law and order throughout the election period
3. Reject vote buying, vote selling, and other electoral malpractices
4. Cooperate with security agencies and INEC to ensure a credible process, and
5. Accept election results* and seek redress through lawful channels in case of grievances.
The National Peace Committee called on all stakeholders to put Osun State and its people above personal or party interests. They noted that peaceful elections are critical to sustainable democracy and development.
The signing of the Peace Accord is expected to build public confidence and set the tone for a peaceful governorship election in Osun State.
The partners in the Peace Accord Project include: The KUKAH Centre, EU-SDGN, International Press Center IPC, Center for Media Society CEMESO, Nigeria Women Trust Fund ElectHER, TAF Africa, among others.
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