Osun Election: Former Accord Senatorial Aspirant Urges Peace, Backs Adeleke For Continuity

A former Accord Party senatorial aspirant for Osun Central, Olusegun Elijah Olasunkanmi, popularly known as Omo-Oluwa, has called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to shun violence and embrace peace ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Olasunkanmi, in a statement issued in Osogbo, urged eligible voters to participate actively in the election while respecting the rights of others to make their political choices without intimidation or harassment.

He described the election as another opportunity for the people of Osun State to determine the direction of the state through the ballot, stressing the need for all stakeholders to approach the exercise with maturity, tolerance and respect for the rule of law.

The former Accord aspirant said his support for the “Imole agenda” and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election was based on his belief in continuity, sustainable development and the consolidation of ongoing government programmes across the state.

According to him, governance should remain centred on the welfare of the people, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, economic opportunities and inclusive development.

Olasunkanmi, however, cautioned against allowing political differences to degenerate into hatred, intimidation or violence, urging governorship candidates and their supporters to base their campaigns on issues, programmes, records and vision.

“Say no to violence and yes to peace. No political office, party or ambition is worth the life of a single Osun citizen,” he said.

He noted that political contests were temporary, while Osun State remained the common home of all its citizens, stressing that political opponents would remain neighbours, friends, families and fellow citizens after the election.

The former senatorial aspirant also called on security agencies, electoral officials, political parties, observers and other stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities professionally and impartially to ensure that voters were able to participate in the election without fear.

He particularly appealed to youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, saying their future was more important than any individual election or political ambition.

“Let your strength be used to protect peace, encourage participation and build a better Osun,” he urged.

Olasunkanmi expressed optimism that the August 15 election would be peaceful, free, fair, credible and acceptable to the people, urging all residents to put the interest of the state above partisan considerations.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Imole agenda and the continuity of the Adeleke administration, declaring that Osun State must remain united irrespective of political affiliations.

“Osun must come first. Peace must prevail. Democracy must prevail,” he added.