Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke says he considered boycotting Wednesday’s peace accord signing ahead of the 15 August governorship election, alleging that opposition-sponsored violence and police bias have put his administration “under siege”.
Speaking in Osogbo at the event organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC), Governor Adeleke stated that he chose to attend out of respect for the peace envoys, despite recent political attacks and arrests targeting his supporters.
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months,” Adeleke declared. “War is being waged actively against my people… openly supported by the Osun State Police Command.”
The governor alleged that eight party members had been killed and over 20 injured in recent months without any arrests, while dozens of political allies remain in police detention or have been transferred to custody outside the state.
APC candidate absent as tension marks ceremony
Adding to the friction at the event, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, was conspicuously absent. His running mate, Aderemi Adereti, arrived shortly before the ceremony concluded to represent the party.
Candidates and representatives from 13 other political parties attended and signed the pledge, including the Accord Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The NPC delegation—headed by former Archbishop of Abuja John Cardinal Onayekan, alongside Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Matthew Hassan Kukah and retired General Martin Luther Agwai—assured the governor that his security concerns would be formally submitted to the Inspector-General of Police and relevant security chiefs.
Peace accord ‘not a photo opportunity’
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan emphasized that the accord is a binding moral commitment rather than a mere formality, urging political leaders to restrain their supporters.
“It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen,” Amupitan said. “If campaigns are characterized by incitement, private armed squads, or subversion, the process is compromised long before the first ballot is cast.”
Cardinal Onayekan echoed those sentiments, calling on all candidates, security forces, and electoral officials to maintain strict impartiality and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after polling day.
Add Comment