Candidates of the 14 political parties participating in the August 15 Osun State governorship election on Thursday signed a peace accord, reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful and credible poll.
At the event, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signed the document, while representatives of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signed on their behalf.
John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), said the accord represented another important milestone in the committee’s longstanding efforts to promote dialogue, build trust and ensure that political competition does not become a trigger for violence.
Onaiyekan said democracy flourishes when political competition is guided by peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law, urging political actors to conduct the remainder of their campaigns with civility and responsibility.
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.”
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, said by signing the Peace Accord, the candidates were not only affirming their dedication to non-violence and mutual respect but were also sending a powerful and unambiguous message that democracy thrives when peace prevails.
Amupitan called on all political parties, candidates and supporters to strictly adhere to the letter and spirit of the agreement.
He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the August 15 governorship election or engage in vote-buying would face the full weight of the law.
He said the commission had completed 11 of the 13 activities on its election timetable, with only the end of campaigns on August 13 and election day remaining.
“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 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.
He said the certified register contained 2,339,233 eligible voters after the Automated Biometric Identification System exercise, adding that 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had been collected.
Amupitan noted that the collection of PVCs at all local government offices had been extended until Friday, July 31, to enable more voters to collect their cards.
Expressing concern over reports of violence and threats in parts of the state, the INEC chairman said the commission had shifted from reactive monitoring to proactive security measures through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
According to him, intelligence-led security operations would be deployed to polling units and collation centres in collaboration 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.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI Headquarters, Osogbo, Akinyele Fasuba, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
He said, “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 same template used in Ekiti on June 20, which Ekiti people applauded, will be replicated 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, the police will be neutral. The IGP said I should assure you that we will be neutral. There is no way the police will be accused of siding with one party or the other,” Fasuba said.
Speaking at the event, Governor Adeleke alleged that members of his party had been facing harassment by the police and called for a free and fair election that would meet the highest standards of transparency.
“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 told the gathering, which included politicians, civil society organisations and top security officials.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended INEC for its independence and appealed to political actors to reject violence.
“Osun State is greater than the interests of any individual or political party,” the monarch said.
