Candidates of 12 out of the 14 parties contesting the August 15 governorship election in Osun State on Thursday signed peace and accountability charters ahead of the poll.

The candidates signed the documents at the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, organised by the Osun Development Association, in Osogbo, the state capital.

The Commissioner for Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, signed the document on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the Accord.

Other political parties, whose candidates and their representatives also signed the charters, included Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement and Action Peoples Party.

Others were Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party and Zenith Labour Party.

However, candidates of the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress, or their representatives, did not participate in the event.

Earlier, the Chairman of Osun Development Association, Dr Segun Aina, whose address was read by Dr Tunji Olugbodi, called on politicians in the state to embrace peace, issue-based campaign and accountability ahead of the election.

Aina said, “Today, with your support and understanding, we hope to witness the signing of two landmark documents: the Osun 2026 Election Peace Charter and the Governance Accountability Charter.

“The peace charter is a commitment to conduct to non-violence, to issue-based campaigning, to respect for electoral institutions, to the protection of voters, to acceptance of results through constitutional channels, to post-election peace regardless of outcome.

“Every party and every candidate that signs this Charter today does so publicly, before the people of Osun State.

“I commend unreservedly the political parties and governorship candidates who have chosen to participate in this process.

“Your presence here today is itself a statement. It signals that you respect the democratic process. It signals that you understand that elections are won through ideas and not intimidation, and it signals that you are prepared to be held to account for your conduct in the weeks ahead.”

He urged the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to ensure a credible election and appealed to the security agencies to guarantee maximum security for lives and properties during and after the poll.

In his goodwill message, Adeleke, whose speech was read by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a peaceful, free and credible election.

“Our belief is simply that no political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen and no office is more valuable than the life of a single man, woman or child,” Adeleke said.

Representatives of other political parties in their goodwill messages at the summit pledged to abide by the law and ensure a credible poll.

The PUNCH reports that 14 political parties are participating in the forthcoming Osun governorship poll slated for August 15.

The incumbent governor, Adeleke, is seeking reelection on the platform of the Accord and is vying against Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, Najeem Salaam of the ADC, among others. (Punch News)

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