Candidates of the 14 political parties participating in the August 15 Osun governorship poll on Thursday signed a peace accord to indicate their commitment to a peaceful poll.
At the event, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, seeking reelection on the platform of the Accord, signed the document, while representatives of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, signed on their behalf.
John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), said the accord represented another important milestone in the committee’s longstanding efforts to promote dialogue, build trust and ensure that political competition does not become a trigger for violence.
Onaiyekan further said democracy flourishes when political competition is guided by peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law, urging political actors to conduct the remainder of their campaigns with civility and responsibility.
He said, “In the name of the National Peace Committee, I am making my special appeal to all the political party members here present to abide by the spirit and the letter of the accord that you will now sign. This signing of the accord is not just a formality or a ritual; It is supposed to mean something serious, that we take this matter seriously.
