Less than three weeks before the Osun State governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on the National Peace Committee to intervene over what he described as increasing political violence and intimidation in the state.
Speaking at the official signing of the Osun Governorship Election Peace Accord, Adeleke appealed to the committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), to help prevent further escalation of the security situation ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship poll.
The event brought together political leaders, electoral officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and civil society organisations in a renewed effort to promote peaceful campaigns and a violence-free election.
Addressing members of the committee, including former Chief of Army Staff, General Martins Agwai (retd.), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the governor alleged that members of his political camp had become targets of intimidation, unlawful arrests and violent attacks.
According to Adeleke, the current political climate poses a serious threat to democracy in Osun State and requires immediate intervention from respected national leaders committed to peaceful elections.
The governor said he initially considered staying away from the peace meeting because of what he described as the worsening security situation but eventually attended out of respect for the National Peace Committee and its role in promoting electoral peace across Nigeria.
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in recent months. However, I decided to attend because of my deep respect for our peace leaders,” Adeleke said.
He urged the committee to engage the Inspector-General of Police on the handling of political suspects currently detained outside Osun State.
According to him, individuals in police custody or correctional facilities outside the state should be returned to Osun and prosecuted in competent courts if there is credible evidence linking them to any criminal offence.
Adeleke argued that such an approach would strengthen public confidence in the justice system and reduce political tension ahead of the election.
The governor further alleged that members of his administration and political supporters had faced sustained intimidation, harassment and violence over the past three months.
He claimed that eight members of his political camp had been killed during separate attacks, while more than 20 others sustained injuries.
Adeleke also alleged that no meaningful arrests or prosecutions had followed the incidents despite what he described as publicly available video evidence showing some of the attacks.
He further claimed that over 60 political leaders had been arrested and transferred to detention facilities in Abuja and Nasarawa State.
Warning that the situation could deteriorate if left unchecked, Adeleke appealed to the National Peace Committee to engage President Bola Tinubu and relevant security authorities to prevent further violence before, during and after the governorship election.
He also called for equal treatment of all political parties, insisting that every candidate and supporter should be allowed to participate freely in the democratic process without fear of intimidation.
Earlier, the governor aligned his concerns with similar calls made by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who had urged politicians to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, also reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election on August 15.
Amupitan admitted that reports of political violence remain a source of concern, stressing that insecurity undermines public confidence in elections and threatens the integrity of democracy.
“The Commission is deeply concerned by reports of violence and threats. We will not allow the democratic will of the people to be undermined by fear or force,” the INEC chairman stated.
He assured voters, political parties and election observers that INEC would continue working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent electoral process.
Also speaking, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, urged politicians to place the peace and stability of Osun State above political interests.
He described the Peace Accord as more than a ceremonial exercise, saying it represents a public commitment by candidates and political parties to conduct peaceful campaigns and respect democratic principles.
According to the cleric, only a peaceful atmosphere will enable eligible voters to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or fear.
The Peace Accord was eventually signed by representatives of all 14 political parties participating in the August 15 governorship election.
Among those who witnessed the signing were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Professor Joash Amupitan, senior security officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders.
With preparations for the election entering the final stage, stakeholders at the event unanimously appealed to political parties and their supporters to reject violence, embrace issue-based campaigns and allow the people of Osun State to decide their next governor peacefully through the ballot box.