Concerns over the conduct of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election took centre stage on Wednesday as political parties and stakeholders questioned the decision of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stay away from a peace dialogue organised in Osogbo.
The meeting, convened by the Osun State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies, brought together representatives of political parties, electoral officials and security stakeholders to discuss ways of ensuring a peaceful electoral process before, during and after the governorship poll.
During the meeting, representatives of several smaller political parties expressed disappointment over the absence of the ruling Accord Party and the APC, arguing that both parties should have participated in discussions aimed at preventing violence and maintaining peace throughout the election period.
Many participants said the non-attendance of the two major political parties raised concerns, especially at a time when efforts are being made to reduce political tension and promote peaceful campaigns across the state.
The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adewale Adebayo, described the absence of the parties as worrying. He noted that political groups often linked to intense rivalry should have taken part in the dialogue and committed themselves to peaceful conduct ahead of the election.
Adebayo assured stakeholders that his party would continue to cooperate with security agencies and support every effort aimed at delivering a peaceful, free and credible election in Osun State.
The Chairman of the BOOT Party in Osun State, Prince Adesoji Adeleke, also expressed dissatisfaction with the development. He argued that the success of any peace initiative depended largely on the participation of all major political actors, especially those expected to play key roles during the election.
Earlier, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their activities responsibly. He urged them to maintain peace and cooperate fully with security agencies throughout the election period.
The police commissioner advised political parties to notify security agencies before organising rallies, processions or political gatherings. According to him, such notification would enable security agencies to make adequate arrangements, deploy personnel effectively, manage traffic and prevent possible clashes between supporters of different parties.
Gotan also warned political actors against destroying campaign materials belonging to opponents, stressing that such actions could increase tension and trigger violence.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, expressed concern over recent incidents of violence recorded in some parts of the state.
She noted that the incidents, which reportedly led to loss of lives, had created anxiety among residents and political stakeholders. Babalola therefore urged political parties, candidates and supporters to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of causing unrest.
She also called on political actors to reject hate speech, misinformation and other forms of conduct that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the election, while urging everyone involved in the process to respect the law and contribute to a peaceful atmosphere across the state.
As preparations continue for the governorship election, stakeholders at the meeting maintained that cooperation among political parties, security agencies and electoral officials remains vital to ensuring a peaceful and credible exercise.