By Online Editor
Candidates of 12 out of the 14 political parties contesting the August 15 governorship election in Osun State on Thursday signed peace and accountability charters, pledging to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns and uphold democratic principles ahead of the poll.
The charters were signed during the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, organised by the Osun Development Association (ODA) in Osogbo.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, who signed the documents on his behalf.
Other political parties that participated in the exercise included the Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
APC, ADC absent from charter signing
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose candidates are among the major contenders in the election, did not participate in the event, as neither the candidates nor their representatives attended the summit.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chairman of the Osun Development Association, Dr. Segun Aina, in an address delivered by Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, described the peace and accountability charters as vital commitments to preserving democracy and ensuring peaceful elections.
According to him, the peace charter commits political parties and candidates to non-violence, issue-based campaigns, respect for electoral institutions, protection of voters, acceptance of election outcomes through constitutional means and maintenance of peace after the declaration of results.
He commended the parties that participated, saying their presence demonstrated respect for democratic values and a willingness to be held accountable for their conduct before, during and after the election.
Aina also urged the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to ensure a free, fair and credible election, while calling on security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters, election officials and public infrastructure throughout the electoral process.
Adeleke reaffirms commitment to credible poll
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election.
“Our belief is simply that no political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen and no office is more valuable than the life of a single man, woman or child,” the governor said.
Representatives of the participating political parties also pledged to obey electoral laws and contribute to a peaceful democratic process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 14 political parties to participate in the August 15 governorship election.
Governor Adeleke is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, while the APC has fielded Bola Oyebamiji and the ADC is presenting Najeem Salaam as its candidate. The election is expected to be one of the state’s keenly contested governorship races.
