By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The National Peace Committee has urged political parties and their candidates participating in the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the spirit and letter of the peace accord signed ahead of the poll.
The committee also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and security agencies to remain impartial, professional and committed to the rule of law to ensure that voters exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.
Speaking at the formal signing of the peace accord in Osogbo on Thursday, a member of the National Peace Committee, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the signing should not be treated as a mere ceremony but as a serious commitment by all political actors to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
Onaiyekan, who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was absent from the event, appealed to political parties and their supporters to abide by the agreement they had signed.
He said the essence of the peace accord was to encourage political parties and their leaders to conduct their campaigns and other electoral activities peacefully, while respecting the law and recognising that elections were temporary events.
“We know why we are here. We are here to encourage political parties and their leaders in the run-up to the election to do their best to carry on their campaigns, their activities in a peaceful way, respecting the law and remembering that election will come and go,” he said.
The cleric noted that elections, by their nature, would produce winners and losers, urging political actors to accept the outcome peacefully and understand that political contests should not destroy relationships or society.
“In every race, in every election, somebody will win, others will lose. That is normal. Life will continue,” he said.
Onaiyekan made a special appeal to the political parties present at the event to comply with both the spirit and letter of the peace accord they were about to sign.
He stressed that the document should not be regarded as a ritual or mere formality but as a solemn undertaking requiring political parties and their supporters to demonstrate commitment to peace throughout the electoral process.
“This signing of accord is not just a formality, a ritual. It is supposed to mean something serious, that we take this matter seriously,” he said.
The National Peace Committee member, however, said the responsibility for a peaceful election did not rest solely on political parties, noting that the conduct of INEC and security agencies would also be critical to the credibility and peaceful outcome of the poll.
He commended INEC and expressed confidence that the electoral commission would conduct the election in accordance with the electoral laws and established rules.
Onaiyekan urged the electoral body to remain faithful to the rules and avoid partiality, stressing that a credible election depended substantially on the neutrality and professionalism of the commission.
He said the National Peace Committee would continue to support an electoral process conducted according to the law and without favour to any political party.
Turning to the security agencies, Onaiyekan said their responsibility was to protect all citizens and the electoral process rather than serve the interests of any political party or individual.
“The security agents are there to secure all of us. Not to secure any political party or anybody,” he said.
He urged the security agencies to remain professional and completely impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly as voters prepare to participate in the August 15 election.
According to him, residents of Osun State must be able to go to the polling units and exercise their right to choose their leaders without intimidation, violence or fear.
“It is absolutely important that they try their best to be professional in what they do and to be completely impartial because we rely on them to keep us secure, to keep the people of Osun State secure while they go and express their God-given right to choose their leaders,” he said.
Onaiyekan also disclosed that members of the National Peace Committee had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Osun State Governor, where the governor expressed concerns and anxieties relating to the security and electoral environment in the state.
He said the concerns raised by the governor would be communicated to the relevant authorities, particularly the police and other security agencies.
“Earlier, we have paid a courtesy call to His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State. And I must say, he expressed strong concerns and anxieties which we shall also pass on to the relevant authorities, especially the police and the other security agents,” he said.
The cleric urged all stakeholders to maintain peace in the state in the period leading to the election and after the votes had been cast.
He called for an atmosphere that would enable the people to participate freely in the electoral process and for political actors to accept the outcome peacefully.
“During this period, until August 15th, let there be peace. And after August 15th, let there be peace and prosperity,” Onaiyekan said.
The National Peace Committee member prayed for the success of the peace accord and for continued peace and prosperity in Osun State, Nigeria and beyond.
The August 15 governorship election is expected to be keenly contested, with political parties intensifying campaigns and mobilisation across the state.
With the signing of the peace accord, stakeholders are expected to translate the commitments made at the event into concrete actions that will guarantee a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.