Osun State gubernatorial candidates sign peace accord as July governorship election looms

GOVERNORSHIP candidates participating in the forthcoming Osun State gubernatorial election taking place on July 16 have all signed a peace accord committing their parties and supporters conducting themselves in a gentlemanly manner.

On July 16, Osun State will go to the polls to elect a governor and with the political atmosphere heating up, the candidates pledged to work towards a peaceful election. Organised by the National Peace Commission, the event was attended by the two front runners incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress and the main challenger Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Bishop Matthew Kukah, the convener of the meeting, who also is the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, harped on the need for the candidates to allow peace to reign during the poll. He also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) to remain an unbiased umpire, saying voter apathy was fuelled by lack of commensurate results for efforts by Nigerians to sustain democracy.

“Increasingly, we are witnessing our democracy moving from democracy to plutocracy.  The sheer amount of money that has been spent, not only on campaigns but just to pick up a piece of paper, to declare intention to participate, these things are unacceptable.

"Majority of our people remain hungry and sick and we cannot flaunt this wealth in a democracy. So, while we are signing this peace accord, we are also encouraging the political actors and I am speaking to you all, there is a need to expand the frontiers of our freedom to participate in the processes concerning our country,” Bishop Kukah added.

Also speaking at the event, Inec chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the success of the peace accord would depend on the continuous support and commitment of political parties, their candidates and security agencies. He however, restated Inec’s commitment to transparent and credible elections, adding that the commission has taken every step to ensure credible governorship election in the state and appealed to the parties and their candidates to abide by their pledge to ensure peace.

Also in attendance, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi told the gubernatorial candidates to rein in their supporters in the interest of peace during the poll. Others that signed the peace accord include Adesoji Adeleke of Booth Party, Bayonle Ademola of Young Progressives Party, Saliu Oyelami of New Nigeria Peoples Party, Femi Adesuyi of Zenith Labour Party, Samuel Abegbe of National Rescue Movement and Busuyi Ayowole of Peoples Redemption Party, while Victor Akande, the state chairman of Accord Party represented the party’s candidate, Akin Ogunbiyi.