Osun Guber: Mediation Committee, NUJ renew calls for peaceful poll
Call for Peace Ahead of Governorship Election in Osun State
Political leaders, journalists, and residents in Osun State are being urged to promote peace before, during, and after the upcoming governorship election on August 15. The appeal was made Monday during a visit by a delegation from the Peace and Mediation Working Committee, established by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo.
Reverend John Adeleke, representing the committee’s chairman, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, stressed the importance of maintaining peace in a state that is attracting significant national attention ahead of the election.
“Osun happens to be one of the states receiving serious attention when it comes to elections. We need peace before, during and after the election,” Adeleke said.
He called on journalists to leverage their platforms to promote peaceful coexistence, highlighting the media’s influence on public opinion. “People listen to your platforms, and we plead with journalists to intensify the peace message through their platforms for peaceful elections,” he stated.
Addressing the political landscape, Adeleke urged leaders to act responsibly and avoid fostering an environment that may incite violence. He emphasized that elections should not be seen as battles, as political contests end while communities continue to coexist.
He also cautioned against hate speech, warning it could lead to unrest, and advised parents to guide their children away from being manipulated by political agendas. “A soul is precious and should not be destroyed,” he added.
Adeleke encouraged the NUJ to collaborate with faith-based organizations to foster peace throughout the state and suggested that supporters should accept electoral outcomes gracefully, avoiding violence.
“The Peace and Mediation Committee has engaged CAN and other worship centers across the state. Religious leaders should consistently preach messages of peace in their congregations throughout the election period,” he noted.
In response, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, welcomed the delegation’s message and assured them that journalists would uphold peace, fairness, and responsible reporting during the election cycle.
“We will key into the message of peace and tranquility. Journalists are tools of peace, and we will continue to appeal to political actors to play by the rules so that peace will reign before and after the election,” Aboderin stated, adding that previous elections have seen tragic losses, underscoring the need for ongoing public sensitization.
He commended the Peace and Mediation Committee for its proactive measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent electoral process and expressed hope that all political stakeholders would honor the peace accord already in place, making Osun’s election a model for other states in Nigeria.
