Political parties contesting the August 15 governorship election in Osun State on Thursday committed themselves to a peaceful electoral process by signing a peace accord brokered by the National Peace Committee.
The event, attended by representatives of 14 political parties, was organised to promote non-violence and ensure a credible election.
The National Peace Committee is led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and includes former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), Bishop Matthew Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan.
Although the ceremony focused on promoting peace, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke used the occasion to raise concerns over what he described as worsening political violence and intimidation in the state.
The governor alleged that members of his party had been subjected to attacks allegedly carried out by thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the support of the Osun State Police Command.
He claimed that eight of his party members had been killed and more than 20 others injured in separate attacks over the past three months, adding that no meaningful arrests or prosecutions had followed.
According to Adeleke, several members of the Accord Party were also being detained by the police without being charged to court, while some political figures had allegedly been transferred outside Osun State to Abuja and Nasarawa State.
Questioning the legality of such actions, the governor argued that suspects arrested in Osun should be prosecuted in courts within the state if there was evidence against them.
He appealed to the National Peace Committee to engage the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that all detainees were either released or arraigned before competent courts in Osun State.
Adeleke also urged the committee to intervene with President Bola Tinubu to prevent further political violence, calling for impartial policing before, during and after the election.
"We want a free and fair election where the votes of the people will count. Security agencies must remain neutral, and the police should conduct themselves professionally like other security agencies operating in the state," he said.
The governor maintained that despite the alleged attacks, his supporters had resisted the temptation to retaliate because of their commitment to the rule of law.
He, however, warned against any attempt to manipulate the election, insisting that the people of Osun were prepared to defend their votes through lawful means.
Adeleke reaffirmed his administration's commitment to a peaceful electoral process and expressed confidence that the people would freely determine the outcome of the governorship poll.
Speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, appealed to political actors to place the peace and stability of the state above partisan interests.
The monarch urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the confidence Nigerians had placed in the electoral body by conducting a transparent and credible election.
He also called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences capable of undermining the integrity of the poll.
The Ooni noted that the country's democratic process could only be strengthened if all stakeholders respected the will of the electorate and allowed the election to be conducted peacefully.
The peace accord is expected to serve as a moral commitment by political parties, candidates and stakeholders to conduct issue-based campaigns, avoid violence and accept the outcome of a credible electoral process in line with democratic principles.
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