Nigeria: Osun 2026 - Political Parties Seal Peace Accord for Peaceful Poll

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Premium Times report based on the News Agency of Nigeria, said candidates from 14 political parties contesting the 15 August Osun State governorship election signed a peace accord on Thursday. The agreement was organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the event was presided over by the committee’s convener, Matthew Kukah, the Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese.

According to the report, Abdulsalami, represented by retired general and former Chief of Army Staff Martin Agwai, urged candidates, parties and supporters to campaign with restraint and respect for the law. Kukah said the accord committed signatories to peaceful conduct and democratic norms, while also stressing that electoral institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders, religious figures, the media and civil society all share responsibility for reducing tensions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Joash Amupitan, described the accord as a serious moral pledge rather than a symbolic exercise, and called on parties and supporters to observe its terms. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, represented by Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Olabode, said security preparations were underway, including the deployment of officers from neighbouring states, and assured residents that police would act neutrally.

The report also said Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke attended in support of the peace process and warned about heightened political tension. The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, appealed against violence and urged voters to participate freely without selling their votes. The accord matters because Nigerian state elections can be highly competitive, and public commitments by parties, electoral officials and security agencies are intended to build confidence before voting.