Candidates contesting the August 15 governorship election in Osun State on Thursday signed a peace accord in Osogbo as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.
The agreement was signed during a meeting organised by the National Peace Committee and attended by political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society groups and other stakeholders.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term, signed the accord, while representatives signed on behalf of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress, Dr Najeem Salaam. In total, candidates from the 14 political parties participating in the election endorsed the agreement.
Speaking at the event, representatives of the National Peace Committee urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election. They said democracy can only succeed when political activities are carried out without violence and with respect for the rule of law.
The committee also expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would conduct the election in line with the Electoral Act.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission had already completed 11 of the 13 activities on its election timetable, leaving only the end of campaigns on August 13 and election day. He warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the election or engage in vote buying would face legal action.
According to him, INEC will deploy election officials across the state’s 30 local government areas, the Modakeke Area Office, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units. He disclosed that the final voter register contains 2,339,233 eligible voters after the biometric verification exercise.
He also said more than 322,000 Permanent Voter Cards have been collected and that the collection period was extended until July 31 to allow more voters receive their cards.
Amupitan explained that security plans had been strengthened following reports of threats and possible violence in some parts of the state. He said intelligence-driven operations would be carried out with the support of the police and the armed forces to secure polling units and collation centres.
He also assured residents that stolen uncollected PVCs could not be used because voter accreditation depends on biometric verification through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Akinyele Fasuba, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, said security personnel from different parts of the country had already begun arriving in Osun.
He assured political parties and residents that the police would remain neutral throughout the election and work to protect lives and property before, during and after the poll.
Governor Adeleke, while speaking at the gathering, raised concerns over what he described as the harassment of members of his party by the police. He appealed for fair policing and called on INEC to conduct an election that reflects the will of the people. He urged security agencies to remain impartial and ensure every eligible voter is allowed to cast their ballot freely.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also appealed to political leaders and their supporters to avoid violence and place the peace and progress of Osun State above political interests. He urged all parties to honour the peace accord and contribute to a peaceful governorship election.