Osun 2026: Political Parties Sign Peace, Accountability Charter as Stakeholders Seek Violence-Free Governorship Election

Political parties contesting the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election on Thursday signed a Peace and Accountability Charter, pledging to conduct issue-based campaigns and shun violence before, during and after the poll.

The charter was signed at the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, organised by the Osun Development Association (ODA) at the Aurora Event Centre, Osogbo.

The summit, themed “Speak, Choose, Hold Accountable: Citizens at the Centre of Osun’s Democracy,” brought together political leaders, electoral officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, development partners, religious leaders and members of the diplomatic and business communities to deliberate on measures for ensuring a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election.

Speaking, Governor Ademola Adeleke who was represented at the event by his deputy, Prince Kola, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and peaceful political engagement, saying no political ambition is worth the life of any citizen.

The governor urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and other forms of electoral misconduct, stressing that elections should be won through persuasion rather than coercion.

“Our people deserve an election where every eligible voter can vote freely without fear or manipulation. Let our votes determine the outcome of the election, not violence. Let persuasion triumph over intimidation and let ideas prevail over hostility,” Adeleke said.

He also charged security agencies to remain professional and impartial while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that every legitimate vote counts through a transparent and credible electoral process.

Earlier, Chairman of the Osun Development Association, Dr. Segun Aina, said the summit was convened as a non-partisan intervention to promote democratic accountability and peaceful coexistence ahead of the governorship election.

According to him, the initiative became necessary in view of growing concerns over rising political tension and isolated incidents of electoral violence in the state.

He urged governorship candidates to seek power through the strength of their ideas, competence and character rather than through intimidation, vote buying or violence.
“The people of Osun are watching. Earn the mandate of the people. Do not buy it. Do not seize it. Earn it,” Aina declared.

He explained that the Peace Charter commits political parties and candidates to non-violence, issue-based campaigns, respect for electoral institutions and acceptance of election outcomes through constitutional means.

Aina , who spoke through Tunji Olugbodi, added that the Governance Accountability Charter outlines citizens’ expectations in key sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth employment, security, fiscal transparency and citizen engagement, noting that ODA would monitor compliance with the commitments after the election.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, described the Osun governorship election as a critical test for the South-West and the country’s democratic maturity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He warned that electoral violence threatens development, insisting that sustainable development can only thrive in a peaceful environment.

Oyeleye called on political parties to publicly renounce violence, discipline members involved in electoral misconduct and accept the outcome of a credible election, while urging citizens to reject vote buying and resist attempts to incite violence.

Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, also warned that increasing political violence could discourage voter participation and weaken public confidence in democracy.

Presenting findings from the organisation’s election monitoring, Idowu disclosed that Osun recorded dozens of election-related violent incidents within the past year, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

He described the August 15 governorship election as Nigeria’s final major off-cycle election before the 2027 general elections, saying its outcome would significantly influence public confidence in future elections across the country.

Idowu urged INEC, security agencies, political parties, the media and civil society organisations to play their respective roles in ensuring peaceful, transparent and credible elections.

In his remarks, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, reminded political actors that politics is about stewardship and service rather than warfare.

He urged voters to make informed choices based on competence and ideas while calling on candidates to remember that political power is temporary and must be exercised in the interest of the common good.

A major highlight of the summit was the signing of the Osun 2026 Peace and Accountability Charter by representatives of political parties, who publicly committed themselves to peaceful campaigns, respect for democratic institutions and responsible conduct before, during and after the election.

Stakeholders at the summit expressed optimism that adherence to the charter would help reduce political tension, deepen public confidence in the electoral process and strengthen democratic governance in Osun State.