NPC Charges Osun Politicians to Go Beyond Signatures, Live Up to Peace Accord

By Omidiran Seun

The National Peace Committee, NPC, has charged political parties, candidates and their supporters in Osun State to go beyond signing the Peace Accord and demonstrate genuine commitment to peace ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The charge was given on Thursday in Osogbo during the signing of the Osun State Governorship Election Peace Accord, where parties and candidates pledged to support a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll.

Speaking on behalf of the NPC Chairman, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the Accord is another milestone in the Committee’s efforts to foster dialogue, build trust and prevent political contest from degenerating into violence.

He said democracy thrives where political competition is anchored on peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law, and urged political actors to conduct the remainder of their campaigns with civility and responsibility.

Cardinal Onaiyekan appealed to parties, candidates and supporters to shun violence, hate speech, fake news and other acts capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral process, stressing that no electoral victory is worth the blood of any citizen.

“The greatest victory we can all achieve is a peaceful election that truly reflects the freely expressed will of the people,” he said.

The Committee also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to discharge their duties with professionalism, impartiality and commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

The NPC described the Accord as particularly significant for Osun State, widely known for the Omoluabi ethos of integrity, honour, responsibility and mutual respect, which it said should guide political conduct.

In his closing remarks, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai said the event was beyond a mere signing ceremony, but a public reaffirmation of stakeholders’ collective resolve to ensure peaceful and democratic elections in the state.

According to him, the signatures appended to the document represent a solemn pledge before the people of Osun and Nigerians at large to uphold restraint, rule of law and democratic principles throughout the electoral process.

Agwai stressed that the burden of peaceful elections does not rest on politicians alone, urging all institutions and stakeholders to translate the commitments into concrete actions.

He noted that the real test of the Accord lies not in the signing, but in the conduct of candidates and their supporters before, during and after the election.

“History rarely remembers those who signed agreements; it remembers those who honoured them. Today we have signed a Peace Accord; tomorrow, we must live by it. That is the true test of our commitment to democracy,” he said.

The NPC expressed optimism that the people of Osun would once again prove that democracy is strongest where peace reigns and the people’s will is respected.