•Adeleke alleges police bias, urges peace committee to intervene Queries why arrested party members are detained in Abuja, Nasarawa

•Ooni urges calm, says power belongs to the people

•Police release Osun SSG

•Osun APC wants arrested political thugs prosecuted without exception

CANDIDATES of political parties contesting the Aug. 15 governorship election on Thursday signed a peace accord organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) to ensure a non-violent poll in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 14 political parties signed the accord at the event presided over by the NPC convener, Rev. Matthew Kukah.

In his remarks, the NPC Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) described the signing as another important milestone in the collective commitment to peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

Represented by a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai, Abdulsalami appealed to political parties, governorship candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with restraint, civility and respect for the rule of law.

“We gather today in the firm belief that democracy flourishes when political competition is guided by peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law.

“For over a decade, the NPC has brought together political leaders and stakeholders to promote dialogue, build trust and reinforce the principle that elections must never become a cause for violence.

“Let us reject violence, hate speech, misinformation and any action capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“No electoral victory is worth the loss of a single life. The greatest victory we can achieve is a peaceful election that reflects the freely expressed will of the people,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that members of the Accord Party arrested by the Osun State Police Command were transferred to Abuja and Nasarawa State for detention instead of being prosecuted in Osun State.

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Adeleke questioned the relocation of the detainees, arguing that both the Federal and State High Courts in Osun were competent to handle any criminal prosecution.

He appealed to the National Peace Committee to prevail on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that those in custody are returned to Osun if they are to face trial.

The governor also urged the committee to engage President Bola Tinubu on what he described as the need to halt escalating political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Adeleke further appealed to the peace committee to intervene in what he described as growing politically motivated violence, warning that the situation could worsen if urgent measures were not taken.

He alleged that some leaders and members of the Accord Party were being targeted through collaboration between the Osun State Police Command and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor, several members of his party had allegedly been killed or injured in attacks over the past three months, while many others had been arrested and transferred outside the state.

He called on the police to remain neutral in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, adding that other security agencies operating in the state had demonstrated greater professionalism and impartiality.

The governor urged all stakeholders, including security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure a level playing field before, during and after the election.

The meeting was attended by members of the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.). Also in attendance were Bishop Matthew Kukah, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, traditional rulers, security chiefs, political leaders and civil society organisations.

Adeleke maintained that despite the committee’s efforts to promote peaceful elections, political violence had continued in the state and called for urgent intervention to safeguard the electoral process.

Also, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, called on political actors in Osun State to shun violence and allow the people to decide the outcome of the August 15 governorship election, saying “Osun is bigger than all of us..

The monarch commended the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, for his consistency and commitment to electoral independence, applauding the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for his nationwide peace efforts.

The Ooni warned political leaders against inciting violence, saying the political tension in the state is high because the election is coming ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile Police in Osun have released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Teslim Igbalaye, who was arrested on Wednesday at his residence alongside five others over alleged vote buying.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

Ojelabi said Igbalaye had been released, but could not confirm the status of the other suspects, noting that investigations were ongoing.

The Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the professionalism of the state command of Nigeria Police and the Inspector General of Police Special Squad in the maintenance of law and order ahead August 15 poll in the state.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Council, Mr Oluremi Omowaiye, while addressing journalists In Osogbo on Thursday said the way and manner the police are ridding the state of criminal elements was commendable and must be sustained before, during and after the election.

He demanded that all criminal elements across all political parties be prosecuted without exception.

Also, a former commissioner for Information, who is also the co-chairman of the campaign council, Mrs Funke Egbemode, expressed deep concern over the state’s security climate, describing the situation where
“a known fugitive is being defended by a sitting governor” as absolutely embarrassing.

She said the growing violence in Osun politics is a scare tactic designed to suppress voters’ turnout ahead of the August 15 election.