Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
As political activities intensify ahead of the August governorship election in Osun State, the Osun Development Association (ODA) has announced plans to convene a peace summit aimed at promoting a violence-free, transparent, and credible electoral process.
The proposed summit is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), governorship candidates, political party leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, youth groups, religious leaders, and election observers to deliberate on measures that will guarantee peaceful campaigns and a credible poll.
According to the association, the initiative seeks to encourage political actors to place the interests of Osun residents above partisan considerations by embracing issue-based campaigns and rejecting all forms of political violence, hate speech, intimidation, and electoral malpractice.
Promoting Peace Before Election Day
The Osun Development Association said the peace summit would provide a platform for political leaders to publicly commit themselves to conducting campaigns in line with democratic principles and constitutional provisions.
The group noted that elections should be opportunities for citizens to freely choose their leaders rather than periods characterised by fear, violence, or disruption of public order.
It explained that bringing all stakeholders together before the election would help address potential flashpoints, strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, and foster collaboration among institutions responsible for conducting and securing the election.
According to the organisers, peace agreements signed before elections have contributed to reducing political tensions in several parts of Nigeria and should continue to be encouraged.
INEC, Candidates to Participate
The association disclosed that invitations would be extended to the Independent National Electoral Commission, all governorship candidates, registered political parties, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and representatives of the media.
Civil society organisations and election monitoring groups are also expected to participate by sharing recommendations on improving voter education, election monitoring, and peaceful political engagement.
The organisers believe that the presence of INEC officials will provide an opportunity for voters and political parties to receive clarification on election procedures, logistics, accreditation processes, and measures put in place to ensure transparency during the governorship election.
Call for Issue-Based Campaigns
The Osun Development Association urged governorship candidates to focus their campaigns on policies and programmes capable of improving the welfare of residents rather than engaging in personal attacks or spreading misinformation.
The association stressed that voters deserve meaningful debates on issues affecting education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, agriculture, economic development, security, and youth empowerment.
According to the group, democratic elections become stronger when political competition revolves around ideas and practical solutions instead of hostility and inflammatory rhetoric.
It also encouraged candidates to educate their supporters on respecting opposing political views and avoiding confrontations during campaign rallies and election day.
Appeal to Security Agencies
The association called on security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality throughout the election period.
It urged security personnel to provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials, journalists, observers, and political participants while ensuring that law enforcement actions remain impartial.
The group further appealed to security agencies to respond swiftly to threats capable of undermining public peace and to prevent the activities of political thugs or criminal elements seeking to disrupt the electoral process.
According to the organisers, confidence in elections largely depends on the ability of security agencies to maintain law and order without favouring any political party.
Voters Encouraged to Participate Peacefully
The Osun Development Association encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the election while complying with electoral guidelines issued by INEC.
It advised residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating panic before or during the election.
The association also urged citizens to report suspicious activities through appropriate security and electoral channels instead of taking the law into their own hands.
It noted that peaceful participation by voters remains one of the strongest pillars of democratic governance.
Importance of Peace Accord
Political observers have consistently identified pre-election peace agreements as valuable confidence-building measures capable of reducing tension among political actors.
Such agreements typically involve commitments by candidates to reject violence, respect election outcomes pursued through lawful means, and encourage supporters to conduct themselves peacefully.
Analysts believe that while peace accords alone cannot eliminate electoral disputes, they provide moral and political commitments that help discourage violence and promote dialogue.
The proposed summit is therefore expected to reinforce these principles ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
Civil Society Welcomes Initiative
Several civil society advocates have welcomed the planned summit, describing it as a timely intervention considering the increasing intensity of political campaigns.
They argued that collaboration among electoral authorities, political parties, traditional institutions, religious organisations, youth groups, women associations, and the media remains essential for credible elections.
Election experts also emphasise the importance of continuous voter education to reduce misinformation, improve public understanding of voting procedures, and strengthen confidence in democratic institutions.
Media’s Role in Peaceful Elections
The organisers acknowledged the important role of the media in ensuring credible elections through balanced reporting and fact-based journalism.
They urged journalists covering the campaigns to verify information before publication and avoid reports capable of inflaming political tensions.
The association further encouraged media organisations to provide equal opportunities for candidates to present their programmes while educating the public on electoral guidelines and democratic values.
Looking Ahead
With preparations for the Osun governorship election entering a critical stage, stakeholders continue to emphasise the need for peaceful campaigns, voter education, institutional neutrality, and respect for democratic principles.
The planned peace summit represents another effort by civil society to foster dialogue among political actors and encourage an atmosphere where voters can freely exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or violence.
Observers believe that sustained cooperation between INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, community leaders, and the electorate will play a significant role in determining the credibility and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming election.
As Osun residents prepare to elect their next governor, many stakeholders hope that political campaigns will remain issue-driven and that all participants will demonstrate commitment to preserving peace before, during, and after the poll.
Sources: Osun Development Association statement; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); reports from credible Nigerian media.
