APC, ADC Absent as Parties Sign Osun Peace Summit

Twelve of the 14 political parties preparing for the August 15 Osun State governorship election signed Peace and Accountability Charters on Thursday during a democratic governance summit held in Osogbo. The event was organised by the Osun Development Association to encourage peaceful campaigns, responsible leadership and respect for the electoral process ahead of the governorship poll.

The All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress did not attend the programme or take part in the signing exercise.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term under the Accord platform, was represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, who signed the documents on his behalf. Representatives of the Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party and Zenith Labour Party also signed the charters.

The organisers said the Peace Charter was designed to encourage political parties and candidates to avoid violence, run issue-based campaigns, respect electoral institutions, protect voters, use legal means to settle election disputes and maintain peace after the announcement of results.

The association also praised the political parties that attended the summit, describing their participation as a positive step towards supporting democracy and peaceful elections in the state.

The group called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and its Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to conduct a free, fair and credible election. It also urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters, election officials and residents before, during and after the governorship election.

Speaking through Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Governor Adeleke restated his administration’s commitment to peaceful and credible elections. He maintained that political ambition should never come before the safety and lives of citizens.

Representatives of the participating political parties also pledged to obey electoral laws and contribute to a peaceful governorship election.

Fourteen political parties are expected to take part in the August 15 governorship election. Governor Adeleke is contesting for another term on the Accord platform, while Bola Oyebamiji is the candidate of the APC and Najeem Salaam is flying the flag of the ADC.

The summit was part of wider efforts by civil society groups and election stakeholders to promote peaceful conduct, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process before Osun voters head to the polls.