Political parties participating in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election have signed a peace accord, reaffirming their commitment to conducting peaceful campaigns and supporting a free, fair and credible electoral process ahead of the August 15 poll.
The peace agreement was facilitated by the Osun Development Association during the Governance and Election Integrity Summit held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
With less than one month to the governorship election, key stakeholders gathered at the summit to discuss measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
Participants at the event included officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations.
The organisers explained that the summit was designed to promote peaceful coexistence among political actors while assuring eligible voters of a safe atmosphere before, during and after the election.
Speaking at the event, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, stressed that preserving the credibility of the election is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of every stakeholder.
She urged political parties, security agencies, electoral officials and citizens to prioritise peace, patriotism and the overall interest of Osun State above political ambitions.
According to Babalola, only a peaceful environment can guarantee credible elections capable of reflecting the true will of the electorate.
The keynote address at the summit focused on the theme, “Peace Before Progress: Why the 2026 Osun Election is a Referendum on Southwest Nigeria’s Capacity for Peaceful, Development-Driven Democracy.”
The keynote speaker emphasised that democracy cannot flourish where violence, intimidation and fear dominate the political environment.
The speaker urged politicians and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns while rejecting acts capable of inciting conflict before or after the election.
He noted that peaceful elections remain critical to strengthening democratic institutions and sustaining development across the South-West region and Nigeria as a whole.
The summit concluded with representatives of the participating political parties signing a peace accord in the presence of electoral officials and other stakeholders.
By signing the document, the parties pledged to conduct their campaigns without violence, respect the rule of law and uphold the principles of free, fair and credible elections.
They also committed themselves to accepting lawful electoral processes and contributing to a peaceful democratic transition after the governorship election.
The peace accord is expected to serve as a moral and political commitment among contestants as preparations for the August 15 governorship election intensify.
