Candidates of the 14 political parties contesting the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election on Thursday signed a peace accord, pledging to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking re-election, personally signed the agreement, while representatives signed on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam.
The peace accord was facilitated by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as part of efforts to prevent election-related violence and promote democratic values.
Delivering the committee’s message, Cardinal John Onaiyekan described the signing as a significant step towards building trust among political actors and ensuring that political competition does not degenerate into conflict.
He urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to honour both the spirit and the letter of the agreement throughout the election period.
“This signing of the accord is not just a formality or ritual. It is a serious commitment that must be respected by every political party and candidate,” Onaiyekan said.
He stressed that democracy can only thrive when political competition is conducted peacefully, with respect for the rule of law, tolerance and civility.
The cleric also noted that the success of the election would depend not only on political parties but also on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies responsible for ensuring a transparent and secure electoral process.
He commended INEC for its preparations while urging the commission to remain impartial and uphold the integrity of the election.
The signing of the peace accord comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the Osun governorship election, with electoral authorities warning politicians and their supporters against violence, intimidation, vote-buying and any act capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.
