By Ismail Azeez
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the people of Osun State that no act of violence or intimidation will be allowed to undermine the democratic will of voters in the August 15 governorship election.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance on Thursday during the formal signing of the Osun State Governorship Election Peace Accord in Osogbo.
Addressing political parties, candidates, security agencies, and other stakeholders, Amupitan acknowledged growing concerns over political violence, insisting that the Commission is fully prepared to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent election.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC has reviewed and strengthened its security arrangements, shifting from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention through closer collaboration with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He described the Peace Accord as a collective commitment by political stakeholders to uphold peace, mutual respect, and democratic values before, during, and after the poll, urging candidates and party leaders to ensure their supporters embrace the spirit of the agreement.
According to him, intelligence-led security measures have been activated across polling units and collation centers, with the Police and Armed Forces collaborating to safeguard voters, electoral personnel, and materials.
“We cannot ignore the shadow that insecurity casts over our preparations for the Osun election. The Commission is deeply concerned by several reports of violence and threats. We recognize 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. We will meet any attempt to disrupt this election with the full, unyielding weight of the law.”
“INEC does not look for a particular outcome; we are interested only in a lawful process. We have refined our logistics, audited our technological frameworks, and fortified result management paths to eliminate systemic vulnerabilities. However, institutional readiness cannot stand alone without political decorum.”
“By signing this Peace Accord today, we are not only affirming our dedication to non-violence and mutual respect among all political actors, but we are also sending a powerful, unambiguous message to our citizens that democracy thrives when peace prevails. Let us work together to ensure that Saturday, August 15, 2026, is remembered not for division or discord, but as a triumph of the Nigerian democratic spirit,” Amupitan said.
In his address, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the Osun State Police Command of partisanship and alleged collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the National Peace Committee to intervene to prevent further violence ahead of the election.
Adeleke stated that his administration and supporters had been subjected to persistent attacks and intimidation over the past three months.
He noted that he chose to attend the meeting despite his reservations solely out of respect for members of the National Peace Committee.
“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present,” Adeleke said.
The governor alleged that eight members of his party had been killed in the past three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries.
“On behalf of Osun State and for the sake of the rule of law, I ask the Peace Committee to prevail upon the Inspector-General of Police to return everyone in police custody. Those remanded in prison should be returned to Osun State and charged before courts in Osun State if the police can show that they have committed any crime,” he stated.