Osun 2026: Gov Adeleke Seeks National Peace Committee’s Intervention Over Violence In State

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed to the Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee to save Osun State from the pre-governorship election violence in the state.

The governorship election in the state is scheduled for August 15 this year.

However, addressing the peace forum, chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, Martins Agwai in company of Bishop Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the governor alleged  a systematic plot to kill, maim and incarcerate Osun Accord leaders through an unholy alliance between Osun APC thugs and the state police command.

Echoing the warning against political violence by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the electoral commission chairman, Prof Amupitan, Governor Adeleke decried current concerted push to eliminate Accord party leaders, urging “our peace leaders to stop a progression towards genocide.

“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months, on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present.”

He urged the Peace Committee to prevail upon the Inspector General of Police to return everyone in police custody, adding that those remanded in prisons should be returned to Osun State, and be charged to Courts in Osun State, if the police can show that they have committed any crime.

According to him, his government and members of his party are facing facing police sanctioned violence and intimidation saying that war is being waged actively against his people by Osun APC openly supported by the Osun state police Command.

“In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest till date. The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs with crimes committed in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet.

“Top government officials are being harassed and intimidated. More than 60 Accord leaders have been arrested and moved to Abuja, and remanded in Abuja prisons and Nassarawa State prisons,

“There is an active plot to kill and maim Osun people before, during and after Osun elections. Our dear peace leaders, there is a active progression towards genocide in Osun state.

“We seek that you interface with Mr President to stop the Marine Minister, Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun APC and the Osun Police Commissioner from unleashing further violence on Osun people” Adeleke posited.

In his remark, chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan pledged the determination of the commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election come August 15, 2026.

He however expressed his dissatisfaction to the security situation in the state adding that the best can only be achieved in a peaceful environment devoid of crisis.

His words: “The Commission is deeply concerned by several reports of violence and threats. We recognise that insecurity is a direct assault on the sanctity of the ballot, and it is a menace we are determined to overcome. As Chairman, it weighs heavily on me that the environment for this election must be one of peace, not intimidation. Let me be clear: we will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force”.

Speaking, Cardinal John Onayekan, former Abuja Catholic Bishop charged politicians in the state to allow peace to prevail adding that it is under a peaceful atmosphere that electorate can exercise their voting rights for a credible election.

According to him, the Peace Accord signing is not a routine exercise but commitment by stakeholders to ensure that peace reign in Osun before, during and after the August 15, governorship election in Osun State.

All the 14 participating parties signed the Peace Accord under the watch of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kuka, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, top security government functionaries, religious leaders, civil society organisations among others.